Dental Hygienist Salary in Lewiston, ID: $103,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lewiston, ID earns a median $103,313/year (≈ $49.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $113,332 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $103,313 in Lewiston, Idaho, which positions the city slightly above the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienist pay in Lewiston ID spans from approximately $90,217 at the 10th percentile to $110,953 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the projected compensation landscape for the year ahead. Given that this region employs around 60 dental hygienists, local demand remains steady, indicating the potential for competitive salaries within a tight labor market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,217 | $43.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,715 | $49.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,313 | $49.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,315 | $51.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,953 | $53.34 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,736 (2026 est.). At $103,313, the local median is 0.36% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be above the median
How Lewiston Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $103,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $99,916 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.36% more |
Dental Hygienists in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $103,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.40% above the Idaho state average of $99,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 8.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $103,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,332 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.7% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$79,290
2025 BLS Actual
$98,450
2026 Current Est.
$103,313
2020–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lewiston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $79,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,417 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.2% from $79,290 (2020) to $98,450 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,127 (36.73%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $90,217 – $102,715 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,715 – $103,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,313 – $106,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,315 – $110,953 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lewiston
The job market for dental hygienists in Lewiston is bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 91.16, suggesting that salaries stretch further for day-to-day expenses. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen are often the highest-paying entities, typically offering significant benefits and incentives, including sign-on bonuses that can enhance overall compensation. The variation in pay stems from diverse factors like the type of practice, with solo practices potentially lacking comprehensive benefits compared to larger organizations. To maximize income in the Lewiston market, new dental hygienists should consider positions at DSOs, negotiate for production-based bonuses, and explore full-time opportunities to optimize weekly hours worked. Understanding the local employment dynamics is essential for those aiming to get the most from their dental hygiene careers in this area.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $98,450 for dental hygienistsin the Lewiston 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