WA · Olympia · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Hygienist jobs in Olympia, WA

Dental Hygienists in the Olympia area earn a median of $59.01 per hour, about $122,740 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $50.97 and $60.79. That ranks 11th of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 9th of 332 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Olympia. The free report below lists employers near Olympia and what they pay.

Open Dental Hygienist roles in Olympia

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Dental Hygienist pay in Olympia, WA

The metro median is 2% below the Washington statewide median of $60.27 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 220 dental hygienists employed in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metro area, 1.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.20).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$47.71$99,2405% above U.S. median
Lower quartile$50.97$106,02012% above U.S. median
Median$59.01$122,74030% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$60.79$126,44034% above U.S. median
Top 10%$61.66$128,25036% above U.S. median

How Olympia ranks

  • 11th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 9th of 332 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd 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 Olympia

  • Overall prices in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater run 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.7, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 17% above the U.S. average (index 116.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $59.01 median hour buys what $56.92 buys at the national price level, 26% 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.

Estimate your Olympia paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$2,124
  • Per year: $106,218
  • Per month: $8,852
  • Washington has no state income tax on wages.

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

Dental health shortage areas in Thurston County

HRSA lists 5 active dental health shortage designations that include Thurston County (1 geographic, 1 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 16 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
Lacey, WA5 mi$59.01/hr58,644
Lakewood, WA19 mi$63.41/hr62,709
Tacoma, WA25 mi$63.41/hr228,202
Federal Way, WA32 mi$63.41/hr100,252
Auburn, WA37 mi$63.41/hr85,513
Burien, WA40 mi$63.41/hr52,046

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 Olympia

Olympia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Olympia, WA?

Dental Hygienists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metro area have a median pay of $59.01 per hour, about $122,740 a year. The middle half earn between $50.97 and $60.79 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater ranks 9th of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 11th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental hygienists in Olympia?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Olympia. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Olympia.

Do I need a Washington license to work in Olympia 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 Olympia in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 5 active dental health shortage designations that include Thurston 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 Olympia?

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

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

Your Hygienist pay reportOlympia, 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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