Dental Hygienist Pay

Richmond vs Tuckahoe: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Richmond, VA and Tuckahoe, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$109,400
$52.60/hr
Tuckahoe, VA
$103,247
$49.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VATuckahoe, VA
Median Salary$109,400$103,247
Hourly Rate$52.60$49.64
Entry Level (P10)$99,557$79,210
25th Percentile$108,036$87,015
75th Percentile$109,862$111,964
Top Earner (P90)$125,246$127,154
Total Employed78010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($109,400) and Tuckahoe ($103,247) dental hygienist salaries.RichmondTuckahoeMedian Salary$109,400$103,247Entry Level (P10)$99,557$79,210Top Earner (P90)$125,246$127,154US Median $102,946

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tuckahoe.

The salary gap between Richmond and Tuckahoe is $6,153 (5.96%). Richmond's median is +6.27% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $25,689,Tuckahoe spans $47,944. Tuckahoe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$99,557
P25$108,036
Median$109,400
P75$109,862
P90 (Top)$125,246
Tuckahoe
P10 (Entry)$79,210
P25$87,015
Median$103,247
P75$111,964
P90 (Top)$127,154

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($111,795 effective) pays 11.74% more than Tuckahoe ($100,046 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $109,400
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $111,795
Tuckahoe
Nominal: $103,247
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $100,046

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,400/year)
  • Larger job market (780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,795)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Tuckahoe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,154)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Richmond grew 37.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in Tuckahoe over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+37.9%

$75,620 (2020) → $104,250 (2025)

Tuckahoe, VA

+29.6%

$75,924 (2020) → $98,387 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Richmond or Tuckahoe?

Richmond has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $109,400/year, compared to Tuckahoe at $103,247/year — a difference of $6,153 (5.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Tuckahoe?

Richmond dental hygienists earn $52.60/hr while Tuckahoe hygienists earn $49.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Tuckahoe as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Tuckahoe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $111,795, Tuckahoe = $100,046), job availability (780 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Richmond vs Tuckahoe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $99,557 in Richmond and $79,210 in Tuckahoe. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov