Dental Hygienist Pay

Jackson vs Madison: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Jackson, MS and Madison, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jackson, MS
$70,593
$33.94/hr
Madison, MS
$87,019
$41.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MSMadison, MS
Median Salary$70,593$87,019
Hourly Rate$33.94$41.84
Entry Level (P10)$67,917$65,015
25th Percentile$68,316$77,350
75th Percentile$85,306$93,114
Top Earner (P90)$88,559$105,115
Total Employed3205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($70,593) and Madison ($87,019) dental hygienist salaries.JacksonMadisonMedian Salary$70,593$87,019Entry Level (P10)$67,917$65,015Top Earner (P90)$88,559$105,115US Median $102,946

Verdict

Madison, MS offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Jackson and Madison is $16,426 (23.27%). Madison's median is -15.47% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $20,642,Madison spans $40,100. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$67,917
P25$68,316
Median$70,593
P75$85,306
P90 (Top)$88,559
Madison
P10 (Entry)$65,015
P25$77,350
Median$87,019
P75$93,114
P90 (Top)$105,115

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($101,539 effective) pays 28.08% more than Jackson ($79,275 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $70,593
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $79,275
Madison
Nominal: $87,019
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $101,539

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,019/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,115)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,539)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Jackson grew 9.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 47.5% growth in Madison over the same period.

Jackson, MS

+9.1%

$61,680 (2020) → $67,270 (2025)

Madison, MS

+47.5%

$56,220 (2020) → $82,923 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Jackson or Madison?

Madison has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $87,019/year, compared to Jackson at $70,593/year — a difference of $16,426 (23.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Madison?

Jackson dental hygienists earn $33.94/hr while Madison hygienists earn $41.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Madison as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $79,275, Madison = $101,539), job availability (320 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Jackson vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $67,917 in Jackson and $65,015 in Madison. The Jackson 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