Dental Hygienist Salary in Davenport, IA: $86,051 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Davenport, IA earns a median $86,051/year (≈ $41.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $96,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Davenport, IA are projected to earn a median salary of $86,051, reflecting the local job market's competitive edge in attracting skilled professionals. This salary falls within a range between $77,740 for the lowest earners and $100,543 for the top 10%. These figures, drawn from official 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, indicate a growing demand for dental hygienists in the area, as the field experiences an annual growth rate of 4.94%. While Davenport's salaries trail the national median of $102,946, this disparity can primarily be attributed to the lower cost of living in the region, which offers a favorable environment for both employers and employees alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,979 | $39.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,051 | $41.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,224 | $47.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,543 | $48.34 |
Median Salary Position
16.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,803 (2026 est.). At $86,051, the local median is 16.41% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Davenport median: $86,051/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,361 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.41% less |
Dental Hygienists in Davenport, IA earn a median of $86,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.41% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Iowa state average of $87,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,051 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$71,140
2025 BLS Actual
$82,000
2026 Current Est.
$86,051
2020–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Davenport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,051 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,302 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.3% from $71,140 (2020) to $82,000 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,162 (26.94%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,740 – $81,979 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,979 – $86,051 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,051 – $98,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,224 – $100,543 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Davenport
With approximately 280 dental hygienists currently working in Davenport, the job market offers reasonable stability for those seeking employment in this sector. The cost-of-living index in Davenport stands at 89.079, providing a more accessible financial landscape for professionals compared to national averages. Among various dental practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen typically offer the most competitive wages, often enhanced by sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists should consider their employment settings carefully, as production-based bonuses are prevalent in environments that emphasize perio recall and recare retention. Additionally, the choice between full-time and part-time schedules can significantly impact income, with four-day work weeks often yielding better overall compensation. Thus, understanding and strategically navigating the local market dynamics is essential for achieving the best dental hygienist pay in Davenport, IA.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,000 for dental hygienistsin the Davenport metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov