Dental Hygienist Pay

Overland Park vs Topeka: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Overland Park, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Overland Park, KS
$95,107
$45.72/hr
Topeka, KS
$92,578
$44.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOverland Park, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$95,107$92,578
Hourly Rate$45.72$44.52
Entry Level (P10)$68,720$83,826
25th Percentile$77,659$86,450
75th Percentile$105,244$93,848
Top Earner (P90)$128,459$97,647
Total Employed29240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Overland Park ($95,107) and Topeka ($92,578) dental hygienist salaries.Overland ParkTopekaMedian Salary$95,107$92,578Entry Level (P10)$68,720$83,826Top Earner (P90)$128,459$97,647US Median $102,946

Verdict

Overland Park, KS offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Topeka.

The salary gap between Overland Park and Topeka is $2,529 (2.73%). Overland Park's median is -7.61% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Overland Park spans $59,739,Topeka spans $13,821. Overland Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Overland Park
P10 (Entry)$68,720
P25$77,659
Median$95,107
P75$105,244
P90 (Top)$128,459
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$83,826
P25$86,450
Median$92,578
P75$93,848
P90 (Top)$97,647

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Overland Park ($104,628 effective) pays 0.38% more than Topeka ($104,231 effective).

Overland Park
Nominal: $95,107
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $104,628
Topeka
Nominal: $92,578
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $104,231

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Overland Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,107/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,459)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,628)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Overland Park grew 28.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 36.2% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Overland Park, KS

+28.5%

$70,528 (2020) → $90,630 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+36.2%

$64,750 (2020) → $88,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Overland Park or Topeka?

Overland Park has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $95,107/year, compared to Topeka at $92,578/year — a difference of $2,529 (2.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Overland Park and Topeka?

Overland Park dental hygienists earn $45.72/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $44.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Overland Park to Topeka as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Overland Park and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Overland Park = $104,628, Topeka = $104,231), job availability (29 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Overland Park vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $68,720 in Overland Park and $83,826 in Topeka. The Topeka area offers higher starting salaries.
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