Dental Hygienist Pay

Columbus vs Solon: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Columbus, OH and Solon, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$101,666
$48.88/hr
Solon, OH
$81,565
$39.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$101,666$81,565
Hourly Rate$48.88$39.22
Entry Level (P10)$85,820$66,927
25th Percentile$95,097$71,542
75th Percentile$104,237$88,802
Top Earner (P90)$104,657$99,749
Total Employed1,7006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($101,666) and Solon ($81,565) dental hygienist salaries.ColumbusSolonMedian Salary$101,666$81,565Entry Level (P10)$85,820$66,927Top Earner (P90)$104,657$99,749US Median $102,946

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Solon.

The salary gap between Columbus and Solon is $20,101 (24.64%). Columbus's median is -1.24% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $18,837,Solon spans $32,822. Solon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$85,820
P25$95,097
Median$101,666
P75$104,237
P90 (Top)$104,657
Solon
P10 (Entry)$66,927
P25$71,542
Median$81,565
P75$88,802
P90 (Top)$99,749

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($106,491 effective) pays 18.42% more than Solon ($89,928 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $101,666
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $106,491
Solon
Nominal: $81,565
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $89,928

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,666/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,657)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,491)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Solon if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Columbus grew 30.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Solon over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+30.9%

$74,010 (2020) → $96,880 (2025)

Solon, OH

+21.9%

$63,787 (2020) → $77,725 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Columbus or Solon?

Columbus has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $101,666/year, compared to Solon at $81,565/year — a difference of $20,101 (24.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Solon?

Columbus dental hygienists earn $48.88/hr while Solon hygienists earn $39.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Solon as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $106,491, Solon = $89,928), job availability (1,700 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Columbus vs Solon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $85,820 in Columbus and $66,927 in Solon. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov