BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Rhode Island
Dental hygienists in Rhode Island earn a median of $86,910 a year, or $41.78 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's 11% less than the national median of $98,100, and ranks 38th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Rhode Island dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in Rhode Island earn between $84,030 and $91,160 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $83,800, and the top 10% earn more than $100,520. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $83,800
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $84,030
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $86,910
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $91,160
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $100,520
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $86,910
- $41.78 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $88,660
- $42.62 an hour
- vs US median
- −11%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 38th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How Rhode Island compares with nearby states
Every nearby state pays more than Rhode Island. Connecticut pays the most ($100,690).
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $100,690 | +3% | 15th |
| Massachusetts | $100,640 | +3% | 16th |
| Rhode Island | $86,910 | −11% | 38th |
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 Rhode Island
- Employed
- 770
- 44th most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.5
- Of all jobs in Rhode Island
- Location quotient
- 1.07
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in Rhode Island are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, Rhode Island has about 7% more dental hygienist jobs than the US average (location quotient 1.07; 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 Rhode Island
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 1 dental hygiene program at 1 school.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in Rhode Island
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in Rhode Island.
See license steps - CE
Rhode Island CE requirements
20 hours every 2 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
Rhode Island dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Rhode Island?
Dental hygienists in Rhode Island earn a median of $86,910 a year ($41.78 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $88,660. That's 11% less than the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Rhode Island?
The median hourly wage in Rhode Island is $41.78 and the mean is $42.62 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in Rhode Island?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in Rhode Island, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $83,800 a year and 25% earn less than $84,030.
How does Rhode Island rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, Rhode Island ranks 38th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (−11% vs the US median). Every nearby state pays more than Rhode Island. Connecticut pays the most ($100,690). See every state
How many dental hygienists work in Rhode Island?
About 770 dental hygienists work in Rhode Island (BLS, May 2025). That's the 44th most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.5 of every 1,000 jobs in Rhode Island are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in Rhode Island?
To become a dental hygienist in Rhode Island, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the ADEX clinical exam, and apply to the Rhode Island Board of Examiners in Dentistry. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. Rhode Island license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your Rhode Island CE for license renewal in the same account.