WA · Bellingham · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Bellingham, WA

Pay for dental hygienists in the Bellingham area centers on $57.71 per hour, or about $120,030 a year. The lower quarter earns under $49.96 and the upper quarter over $59.19. That ranks 19th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 13th of 332 once local prices are factored in. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Bellingham.

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Dental Hygienist pay in Bellingham, WA

The metro median is 4% below the Washington statewide median of $60.27 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 160 dental hygienists employed in the Bellingham metro area, 1.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.27).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$47.72$99,2605% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$49.96$103,92010% above U.S. median
Median$57.71$120,03027% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$59.19$123,12031% above U.S. median
Top 10%$71.50$148,72058% above U.S. median

How Bellingham ranks

  • 19th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 13th of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 8 Washington 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 Bellingham

  • Overall prices in Bellingham run 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 13% above the U.S. average (index 112.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $57.71 median hour buys what $55.85 buys at the national price level, 23% above 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 Bellingham, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Bellingham paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,078
  • Per year: $103,878
  • Per month: $8,656
  • Washington has no state income tax on wages.

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

Open Dental Hygienist roles in Washington

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

All Dental Hygienist jobs in Washington

Dental health shortage areas in Whatcom County

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Whatcom County (1 geographic, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 15 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
Marysville, WA49 mi$63.41/hr76,209
Everett, WA56 mi$63.41/hr113,011
Bothell, WA69 mi$63.41/hr51,770
Shoreline, WA69 mi$63.41/hr66,251
Kirkland, WA74 mi$63.41/hr95,499
Redmond, WA76 mi$63.41/hr82,195

Dental Hygienist jobs in Washington · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Washington

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

Washington does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Washington state guide

Other healthcare roles in Bellingham

Bellingham city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Bellingham, WA?

Dental Hygienists in the Bellingham metro area have a median pay of $57.71 per hour, about $120,030 a year. The middle half earn between $49.96 and $59.19 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Bellingham ranks 13th of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 19th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% above the U.S. average.

Do I need a Washington license to work in Bellingham as a dental hygienist?

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

Is Bellingham in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Whatcom 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 Bellingham?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Bellingham and across Washington. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Bellingham.

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

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Hygienist near Bellingham, WA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Hygienist pay reportBellingham, WA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
  • Michael L. Bilikas, DDS PSUniversity, WA · 1 wage offer$72.33/ hr$70–$75
  • Smile BrandsBonney Lake, WA · 11 postings$68.50/ hr$52–$72

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$65Median$68.50High$72

15 Hygienist postings with published pay in Washington, 2 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 15 Hygienist roles

  1. Dental Hygienist - Bonney Lake, WAPermanent
    $65.00–$70.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · Bonney Lake, WA · posted 8 days ago
  2. Dental Hygienist (RDH)Permanent
    $58.00–$63.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Spokane, WA · posted 22 days ago

+ 13 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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