NM · Las Cruces · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Las Cruces, NM

Dental Hygienists in the Las Cruces area earn a median of $38.98 per hour, about $81,090 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $37.86 and $45.12. That ranks 236th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 181st of 332 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near Las Cruces and what they pay.

Dental Hygienist pay in Las Cruces, NM

The metro median is 16% below the New Mexico statewide median of $46.35 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 110 dental hygienists employed in the Las Cruces metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$37.34$77,67018% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$37.86$78,75016% below U.S. median
Median$38.98$81,09014% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$45.12$93,850in line with U.S. median
Top 10%$46.89$97,5303% above U.S. median

How Las Cruces ranks

  • 236th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 181st of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 3 New Mexico metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Las Cruces

  • Overall prices in Las Cruces run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 37% below the U.S. average (index 63.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $38.98 median hour buys what $43.21 buys at the national price level, 5% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Las Cruces, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Las Cruces paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,403
  • Per year: $70,164
  • Per month: $5,847

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Las Cruces metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Dental Hygienist roles in New Mexico

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Las Cruces as they open.

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Hygienist

Smile Brands · Santa Fe, NM

$50.00–$57.00/ hour
  • Full-time
  • Req 38838
View role

All Dental Hygienist jobs in New Mexico

Dental health shortage areas in Doña Ana County

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Doña Ana County (1 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Hygienist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
El Paso, TX39 mi$39.81/hr681,723
Albuquerque, NM192 mi$46.33/hr560,326
Rio Rancho, NM204 mi$46.33/hr112,524
Tucson, AZ239 mi$44.13/hr554,013
Marana, AZ254 mi$47.08/hr62,380
Odessa, TX262 mi$45.43/hr119,748

Dental Hygienist jobs in New Mexico · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in New Mexico

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

New Mexico taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

New Mexico state guide

Other healthcare roles in Las Cruces

Las Cruces city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Las Cruces, NM?

Dental Hygienists in the Las Cruces metro area have a median pay of $38.98 per hour, about $81,090 a year. The middle half earn between $37.86 and $45.12 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Las Cruces a good place for dental hygienists once cost of living is counted?

Las Cruces ranks 181st of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 236th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a New Mexico license to work in Las Cruces as a dental hygienist?

Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New Mexico requires for your role with the New Mexico licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Las Cruces in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Doña Ana County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental hygienists in Las Cruces?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Las Cruces and across New Mexico. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Las Cruces.

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What do employers near Las Cruces pay dental hygienists? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

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Pay report · Hygienist near Las Cruces, NM
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Hygienist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your New Mexico list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
  • PDS HealthPortland, OR · 3 postings$69.00/ hr$58–$80
  • Smile BrandsBonney Lake, WA · 11 postings$68.50/ hr$52–$72
  • BenevisVirginia Beach, VA · 5 postings$65.00/ hr$60–$70

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New Mexico list

2What they are offering now

Low$39Median$54.00High$65

345 Hygienist postings with published pay in the US, 190 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 Hygienist roles

  1. Registered Dental HygienistPermanent
    $39.00–$62.00/ hour
    PDS Health · Albuquerque, NM · posted 16 days ago
  2. Dental HygienistPermanent
    $50.00–$57.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · Santa Fe, NM · posted 30+ days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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