Dental Hygienist Pay

Kenmore vs Kennewick: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Kenmore, WA and Kennewick, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenmore, WA
$121,132
$58.24/hr
Kennewick, WA
$128,531
$61.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenmore, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$121,132$128,531
Hourly Rate$58.24$61.79
Entry Level (P10)$99,970$105,360
25th Percentile$106,667$113,881
75th Percentile$132,095$132,655
Top Earner (P90)$149,066$154,083
Total Employed6270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenmore ($121,132) and Kennewick ($128,531) dental hygienist salaries.KenmoreKennewickMedian Salary$121,132$128,531Entry Level (P10)$99,970$105,360Top Earner (P90)$149,066$154,083US Median $102,946

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenmore.

The salary gap between Kenmore and Kennewick is $7,399 (6.11%). Kennewick's median is +24.85% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenmore spans $49,096,Kennewick spans $48,723. Kenmore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kenmore
P10 (Entry)$99,970
P25$106,667
Median$121,132
P75$132,095
P90 (Top)$149,066
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$105,360
P25$113,881
Median$128,531
P75$132,655
P90 (Top)$154,083

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($128,430 effective) pays 13.87% more than Kenmore ($112,786 effective).

Kenmore
Nominal: $121,132
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $112,786
Kennewick
Nominal: $128,531
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $128,430

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenmore if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,531/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,083)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $128,430)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Kenmore grew 25.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 28.1% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Kenmore, WA

+25.0%

$92,339 (2020) → $115,430 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+28.1%

$95,610 (2020) → $122,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Kenmore or Kennewick?

Kennewick has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $128,531/year, compared to Kenmore at $121,132/year — a difference of $7,399 (6.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenmore and Kennewick?

Kenmore dental hygienists earn $58.24/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $61.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenmore to Kennewick as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenmore and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenmore = $112,786, Kennewick = $128,430), job availability (6 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Kenmore vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $99,970 in Kenmore and $105,360 in Kennewick. The Kennewick area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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