Dental Hygienist Salary in Lakewood, CO: $115,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lakewood, CO earns a median $115,604/year (≈ $55.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $110,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Colorado, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $115,604 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $102,946. This local estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, places the salary range for hygienists between $89,796 at the 10th percentile and $152,502 at the 90th percentile. The competitive pay landscape can be attributed to both the city’s growing healthcare needs and its strategic location within the Denver metropolitan area. With salaries notably higher than the state average, Lakewood presents itself as an attractive market for dental hygienists seeking rewarding employment opportunities.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($107,733) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,796 | $43.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,143 | $47.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,604 | $55.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,212 | $62.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,502 | $73.32 |
Median Salary Position
12.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,706 (2026 est.). At $115,604, the local median is 12.3% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $115,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $115,489 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +12.30% more |
Dental Hygienists in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $115,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.30% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $115,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,604 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,099 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$88,916
2025 BLS Actual
$110,162
2026 Current Est.
$115,604
2020–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lakewood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $88,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,939 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,315 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.9% from $88,916 (2020) to $110,162 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,399 (36.44%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $89,796 – $99,143 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,143 – $115,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,604 – $130,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,212 – $152,502 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lakewood
Currently, there are 27 dental hygienists employed in Lakewood, contributing to a relatively stable job market for the profession. While the cost of living index stands at 105, slightly above the national average, it highlights the necessity for higher salaries to maintain a decent standard of living. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen generally offer better compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices or public health clinics. The variation in pay can often be linked to factors such as production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and varying work schedules. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Lakewood may benefit from considering employment with larger group practices or DSOs, which typically provide more competitive salaries and benefits when compared to smaller offices.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,162 for dental hygienistsin the Lakewood metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov