Dental Hygienist Pay

Minneapolis vs Blaine: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Minneapolis, MN and Blaine, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$118,194
$56.83/hr
Blaine, MN
$102,389
$49.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNBlaine, MN
Median Salary$118,194$102,389
Hourly Rate$56.83$49.23
Entry Level (P10)$90,248$79,484
25th Percentile$108,225$87,455
75th Percentile$122,738$112,963
Top Earner (P90)$128,216$130,373
Total Employed2,59018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($118,194) and Blaine ($102,389) dental hygienist salaries.MinneapolisBlaineMedian Salary$118,194$102,389Entry Level (P10)$90,248$79,484Top Earner (P90)$128,216$130,373US Median $102,946

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Blaine.

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Blaine is $15,805 (15.44%). Minneapolis's median is +14.81% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $37,968,Blaine spans $50,889. Blaine has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$90,248
P25$108,225
Median$118,194
P75$122,738
P90 (Top)$128,216
Blaine
P10 (Entry)$79,484
P25$87,455
Median$102,389
P75$112,963
P90 (Top)$130,373

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($112,757 effective) pays 8.47% more than Blaine ($103,948 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $118,194
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $112,757
Blaine
Nominal: $102,389
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $103,948

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,194/year)
  • Larger job market (2,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,757)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Blaine if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,373)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Minneapolis grew 45.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in Blaine over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+45.0%

$77,650 (2020) → $112,630 (2025)

Blaine, MN

+31.5%

$74,219 (2020) → $97,569 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Minneapolis or Blaine?

Minneapolis has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $118,194/year, compared to Blaine at $102,389/year — a difference of $15,805 (15.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Blaine?

Minneapolis dental hygienists earn $56.83/hr while Blaine hygienists earn $49.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Blaine as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Blaine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $112,757, Blaine = $103,948), job availability (2,590 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Minneapolis vs Blaine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $90,248 in Minneapolis and $79,484 in Blaine. The Minneapolis 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