Dental Hygienist Salary in Scarborough, ME: $97,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Scarborough, ME earns a median $97,828/year (≈ $47.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Scarborough's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $98,221 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Scarborough, ME, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,828. While this figure reflects the earning potential in the region, it also highlights a notable gap compared to the national median of $102,946, making Scarborough's dental hygienist pay slightly lower by approximately 4.97%. This local salary range spans from $78,153 at the 10th percentile to as high as $114,179 at the 90th percentile, with additional benchmarks at $88,112 for the 25th percentile and $102,840 for the 75th percentile. These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living differences. Understanding the financial realities in Scarborough can help dental hygienists make informed career choices in a market that comprises a small but vital number of employed practitioners.
About the Scarborough Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,153 | $37.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,112 | $42.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,828 | $47.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,179 | $54.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scarborough
In Scarborough, ME, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,026 (2026 est.). At $97,828, the local median is 4.97% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scarborough: You'd be above the median
How Scarborough Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Scarborough median: $97,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scarborough Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $102,545 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.97% less |
Dental Hygienists in Scarborough, ME earn a median of $97,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the Maine state average of $102,545.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scarborough has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scarborough, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $97,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,221 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$66,958
2025 BLS Actual
$93,223
2026 Current Est.
$97,828
2020–2027 Growth
+53.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Scarborough (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $66,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,263 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,563 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,661 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scarborough metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 39.2% from $66,958 (2020) to $93,223 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,703 (53.32%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scarborough 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) | $78,153 – $88,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,112 – $97,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,828 – $102,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,840 – $114,179 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Scarborough
Analyzing the local job landscape reveals a competitive environment for dental hygienists, with just five professionals currently employed in Scarborough. The cost-of-living index stands at 99.6, which indicates that while expenses are slightly below the national average, the actual take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists could be less buoyant than it appears. Employers in Scarborough's market typically include solo dental practices, multi-doctor groups, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, with DSOs often providing higher average compensations due to additional benefits and robust health care plans. The pay disparity here arises from various factors such as production-based bonuses, work schedules that can differ significantly between practices, and the employment structures of DSOs versus private offices, which may offer less comprehensive benefits. For dental hygienists seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting positions within DSOs may be a prudent strategy while also considering sign-on bonuses that can be quite attractive for new hires in this evolving sector.
More salary data for Scarborough, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Scarborough?
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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 $93,223 for dental hygienistsin the Scarborough 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 Scarborough 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