Dental Hygienist Pay

Sammamish vs Spokane: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Sammamish, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sammamish, WA
$126,573
$60.85/hr
Spokane, WA
$122,454
$58.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSammamish, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$126,573$122,454
Hourly Rate$60.85$58.87
Entry Level (P10)$100,170$109,862
25th Percentile$106,872$113,493
75th Percentile$141,272$124,123
Top Earner (P90)$163,396$129,905
Total Employed11500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sammamish ($126,573) and Spokane ($122,454) dental hygienist salaries.SammamishSpokaneMedian Salary$126,573$122,454Entry Level (P10)$100,170$109,862Top Earner (P90)$163,396$129,905US Median $102,946

Verdict

Sammamish, WA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Sammamish and Spokane is $4,119 (3.36%). Sammamish's median is +22.95% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sammamish spans $63,226,Spokane spans $20,043. Sammamish has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sammamish
P10 (Entry)$100,170
P25$106,872
Median$126,573
P75$141,272
P90 (Top)$163,396
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$109,862
P25$113,493
Median$122,454
P75$124,123
P90 (Top)$129,905

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($122,032 effective) pays 3.55% more than Sammamish ($117,852 effective).

Sammamish
Nominal: $126,573
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $117,852
Spokane
Nominal: $122,454
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $122,032

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sammamish if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,573/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($163,396)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,032)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Sammamish grew 25.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 33.8% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Sammamish, WA

+25.0%

$96,487 (2020) → $120,615 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+33.8%

$87,180 (2020) → $116,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Sammamish or Spokane?

Sammamish has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $126,573/year, compared to Spokane at $122,454/year — a difference of $4,119 (3.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sammamish and Spokane?

Sammamish dental hygienists earn $60.85/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $58.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sammamish to Spokane as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sammamish and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sammamish = $117,852, Spokane = $122,032), job availability (11 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Sammamish vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $100,170 in Sammamish and $109,862 in Spokane. The Spokane area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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