Dental Hygienist Salary in South Kingstown, RI: $98,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in South Kingstown, RI earns a median $98,209/year (≈ $47.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in South Kingstown's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $97,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Kingstown, Rhode Island, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is set at $98,209, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $102,946. This salary sits within a wider range of $77,819 at the lower end to $124,348 at the upper end, as estimated from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. Presenting a relatively competitive figure, South Kingstown's compensation for dental hygienists is important to understand in the context of local employment dynamics and cost of living. With a total of five dental hygienists currently employed in the area, it's crucial to assess how these numbers align with the broader trends affecting the dental hygiene profession.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($85,020) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,819 | $37.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,904 | $40.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,209 | $47.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,570 | $52.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,348 | $59.78 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Kingstown
In South Kingstown, RI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,529 (2026 est.). At $98,209, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Kingstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Kingstown Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
South Kingstown median: $98,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Kingstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $103,487 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.60% less |
Dental Hygienists in South Kingstown, RI earn a median of $98,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Kingstown has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Kingstown, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,209 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,720 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,370
2025 BLS Actual
$93,586
2026 Current Est.
$98,209
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in South Kingstown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,022 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,755 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,061 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Kingstown metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.3% from $72,370 (2020) to $93,586 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,691 (42.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Kingstown 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) | $77,819 – $84,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,904 – $98,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,209 – $108,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,570 – $124,348 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in South Kingstown
The local job market for dental hygienists in South Kingstown is characterized by a modestly competitive landscape, influenced by the area's cost of living, which stands at a cost-of-living index of 100.5. This index indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average, potentially impacting take-home pay for dental hygienists. Employers like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen tend to offer more substantial salaries, potentially due to their structured benefits packages and incentive programs, which can include production-based bonuses related to patient retention. Conversely, smaller practices may offer less favorable conditions, particularly around benefits like health insurance. To maximize earnings in South Kingstown, dental hygienists might consider roles in larger organizations, pursue additional certifications in specialized fields, or negotiate schedules that allow for maximum patient interactions in fewer workdays. These strategies could help them better align their compensation with the increasing demands of the profession and local market trends.
More salary data for South Kingstown, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in South Kingstown, RI in 2026?
Is South Kingstown, RI a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in South Kingstown?
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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 $93,586 for dental hygienistsin the South Kingstown 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
Salary data for South Kingstown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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