BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Colorado
Dental hygienists in Colorado earn a median of $109,580 a year, or $52.68 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's 12% more than the national median of $98,100, and ranks 7th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Colorado dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in Colorado earn between $102,580 and $125,470 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $95,680, and the top 10% earn more than $128,900. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $95,680
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $102,580
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $109,580
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $125,470
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $128,900
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $109,580
- $52.68 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $110,030
- $52.90 an hour
- vs US median
- +12%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 7th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How Colorado compares with nearby states
Colorado pays more than all six nearby states.
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $109,580 | +12% | 7th |
| Oklahoma | $97,580 | −1% | 22nd |
| New Mexico | $95,940 | −2% | 27th |
| Nebraska | $92,580 | −6% | 31st |
| Utah | $91,120 | −7% | 35th |
| Wyoming | $85,130 | −13% | 41st |
| Kansas† | $82,060 | −13% | — |
† Kansas figures are from May 2024 because BLS did not publish May 2025 estimates for Kansas. Its “vs US” uses the May 2024 national median ($94,260), and it isn't ranked.
Median pay, BLS OEWS. Rank 1 = highest median pay among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. See all states.
Dental hygienist jobs in Colorado
- Employed
- 4,270
- 18th most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.5
- Of all jobs in Colorado
- Location quotient
- 1.04
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in Colorado are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, Colorado has about the same share of dental hygienist jobs as the US overall (location quotient 1.04).
Many dental hygienists work part time, and some work for more than one dentist (BLS). Temping is another way to pick up shifts: see how temp and PRN work pays.
Schools, license, and CE in Colorado
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in Colorado
Colorado has 5 dental hygiene programs at 5 schools.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in Colorado
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in Colorado.
See license steps - CE
Colorado CE requirements
30 hours every 2 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
Colorado dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Colorado?
Dental hygienists in Colorado earn a median of $109,580 a year ($52.68 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $110,030. That's 12% more than the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Colorado?
The median hourly wage in Colorado is $52.68 and the mean is $52.90 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in Colorado?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in Colorado, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $95,680 a year and 25% earn less than $102,580.
How does Colorado rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, Colorado ranks 7th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (+12% vs the US median). Colorado pays more than all six nearby states. See every state
How many dental hygienists work in Colorado?
About 4,270 dental hygienists work in Colorado (BLS, May 2025). That's the 18th most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in Colorado are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in Colorado?
To become a dental hygienist in Colorado, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam, and apply to the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. Colorado license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: Colorado, May 2025. All occupations for the state; Dental Hygienists is SOC 29-1292
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). National and state estimates, May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. Licensing and work schedule facts
- Data retrieved September 28, 2026. BLS publishes new wage estimates once a year.
- Annual pay is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. Employment excludes self-employed workers and is rounded by BLS.
- Rank and “vs US” are computed from BLS medians; percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Ranks cover the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Jobs in BrushNotes
Find dental hygienist jobs in Colorado
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your Colorado CE for license renewal in the same account.