Dental Hygienist Salary in Rome, GA: $87,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Rome, GA earns a median $87,310/year (≈ $41.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Rome's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $96,838 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rome, Georgia, employment for dental hygienists reflects a stable local economy, with about 70 professionals currently practicing in the area. For those looking to enter or advance in this field, the projected median annual salary of $87,310 in 2026 offers a competitive prospect, especially when considered alongside a salary range of $75,809 to $107,794. This data, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a favorable landscape for dental hygienists, particularly when viewed against the national median of $102,946. While the local salary is about 15.19% lower than the national average, the modest cost of living in Rome suggests that the dental hygienist salary in Rome could provide a comfortable standard of living, making it an attractive option for both new and experienced professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,809 | $36.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,582 | $40.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,384 | $46.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,794 | $51.82 |
Median Salary Position
15.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rome
In Rome, GA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,985 (2026 est.). At $87,310, the local median is 15.19% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rome: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rome Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Rome median: $87,310/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rome Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $85,514 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.19% less |
Dental Hygienists in Rome, GA earn a median of $87,310 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.19% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.10% above the Georgia state average of $85,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rome has a cost of living 9.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rome, GA has a cost-of-living index of 90.161 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,310 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,838 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.91% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,630
2025 BLS Actual
$83,200
2026 Current Est.
$87,310
2020–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Rome (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,623 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rome metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 10.0% from $75,630 (2020) to $83,200 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,993 (21.15%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rome 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) | $75,809 – $84,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,582 – $87,310 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,310 – $97,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,384 – $107,794 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Rome
Considering the overall job market in Rome, the 70 dental hygienists currently employed suggest a moderate level of saturation, but the anticipated job growth at a rate of 4.94% annually could further enhance opportunities. The local cost of living index at 90.161 indicates that housing and daily expenses are lower than the national average, which is an important factor in take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, those in multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen may offer better compensation due to their ability to provide benefits and production-based bonuses. The disparity between salaries often arises from various factors, including whether the hygienists are offered full benefits, work part-time, or indulge in production incentives. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Rome should consider seeking employment in DSOs or multi-doctor practices, which tend to offer better pay structures and benefits compared to solo practices.
More salary data for Rome, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $83,200 for dental hygienistsin the Rome 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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