Dental Hygienist Salary in Gulfport, MS: $77,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Gulfport, MS earns a median $77,131/year (≈ $37.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $85,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 160 dental hygienists currently employed in Gulfport, Mississippi, the local job market reflects a stable demand for dental hygiene professionals. The projected median annual salary for this occupation in 2026 is estimated at $77,131. This figure occupies a salary range of $67,445 at the 10th percentile to $95,485 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. When compared to the national median dental hygienist salary of $102,946, Gulfport’s wage is notably lower, indicating that while the region offers employment opportunities, the compensation may lag behind national standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,445 | $32.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,855 | $34.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,131 | $37.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,083 | $38.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,485 | $45.91 |
Median Salary Position
25.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,040 (2026 est.). At $77,131, the local median is 25.08% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gulfport Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $77,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,250 | -12.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -25.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $77,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 12.60% below the Mississippi state average of $88,250.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $77,131 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,695 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$58,030
2025 BLS Actual
$73,500
2026 Current Est.
$77,131
2020–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gulfport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $58,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,941 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 26.7% from $58,030 (2020) to $73,500 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,911 (39.48%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $67,445 – $70,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,855 – $77,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,131 – $79,083 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,083 – $95,485 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the relatively low cost-of-living index of 90.006 suggests that the purchasing power of dental hygienists may be more favorable than in higher-cost areas, despite the salary being 25.08% less than the national average. Employers in Gulfport vary in their compensation structures; Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the most competitive salaries and benefits packages, including sign-on bonuses for new graduates. In contrast, solo dental practices may provide fewer ancillary benefits, impacting overall income potential. The income disparity can also be driven by factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient recall and recare retention, as well as the number of days worked per week. To maximize earnings in this market, dental hygienists may consider seeking employment with DSOs or leveraging bonuses tied to performance metrics while being aware of the benefits gap that might exist between private offices and larger chains.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
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 $73,500 for dental hygienistsin the Gulfport 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