BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Montana
Dental hygienists in Montana earn a median of $98,440 a year, or $47.33 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's about the same as the national median of $98,100, and ranks 19th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Montana dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in Montana earn between $94,460 and $100,920 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $83,060, and the top 10% earn more than $104,780. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $83,060
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $94,460
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $98,440
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $100,920
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $104,780
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $98,440
- $47.33 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $96,730
- $46.50 an hour
- vs US median
- 0%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 19th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How Montana compares with nearby states
Montana pays more than all four nearby states.
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $98,440 | 0% | 19th |
| Idaho | $94,650 | −4% | 29th |
| South Dakota | $92,210 | −6% | 33rd |
| North Dakota | $90,530 | −8% | 36th |
| Wyoming | $85,130 | −13% | 41st |
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 Montana
- Employed
- 860
- 41st most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.7
- Of all jobs in Montana
- Location quotient
- 1.17
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in Montana are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, Montana has about 17% more dental hygienist jobs than the US average (location quotient 1.17; 1.00 = the national average).
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 Montana
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in Montana
Montana has 1 dental hygiene program at 1 school.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in Montana
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in Montana.
See license steps - CE
Montana CE requirements
36 hours every 3 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
Montana dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Montana?
Dental hygienists in Montana earn a median of $98,440 a year ($47.33 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $96,730. That's about the same as the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Montana?
The median hourly wage in Montana is $47.33 and the mean is $46.50 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in Montana?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in Montana, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $83,060 a year and 25% earn less than $94,460.
How does Montana rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, Montana ranks 19th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (0% vs the US median). Montana pays more than all four nearby states. See every state
How many dental hygienists work in Montana?
About 860 dental hygienists work in Montana (BLS, May 2025). That's the 41st most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.7 of every 1,000 jobs in Montana are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in Montana?
To become a dental hygienist in Montana, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam, pass the Montana jurisprudence exam, and apply to the Montana Board of Dentistry. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. Montana license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: Montana, 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 Montana
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your Montana CE for license renewal in the same account.