Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $89,529 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lee's Summit, MO earns a median $89,529/year (≈ $43.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lee's Summit's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $99,921 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.

$89,529
Median Annual Salary
$43.05/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$68,216
Entry Level (P10)
$119,711
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Salary in Lee's Summit, MO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lee's Summit, MO dental hygienist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Lee's Summit, Missouri, the job market for dental hygienists is projected to be promising, with an estimated 20 professionals currently employed in the area. In 2026, these practitioners can expect a median annual salary of $89,529, which falls significantly below the national median of $102,946 for the same year. Local salaries will range from $68,216 at the lower end to $119,711 at the high end, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by various factors. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost of living considerations, suggesting the potential for career growth in this sector within Lee's Summit.

About the Lee's Summit Market

Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,161) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$68,216$32.79
Lower Range (P25)$75,776$36.44
Median (P50)(typical)$89,529$43.05
Upper Range (P75)$101,796$48.94
Top Earners (P90)$119,711$57.55

Median Salary Position

$68,216$119,711
City Median: $89,529
National: $102,946
P10–P90 Range

13.03% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental hygienists in Lee's Summit. The median salary is $89,529, compared to the national median of $102,946.$61.4K$77.5K$93.5K$109.6K$125.7K$68.2K10th Pctl$75.8K25th Pctl$89.5KMedian$101.8K75th Pctl$119.7K90th PctlUS Median$102.9K

In Lee's Summit, MO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,495 (2026 est.). At $89,529, the local median is 13.03% below the national median of $102,946.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental hygienist pay in the Lee's Summit metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,722
per week
$7,461
per month
$89,536
per year

At 40 hours/week in Lee's Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Lee's Summit Dental Hygienist Pay Compares

Lee's Summit median: $89,529/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLee's Summit Pays
Missouri Average$90,342-0.90% less
National Average$102,946-13.03% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Lee's Summit ($89,529) with Missouri average ($90,342) and the US national median ($102,946).Lee's Summit$89,529Missouri Avg$90,342-0.90%US National$102,946-13.03%

Dental Hygienists in Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $89,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.03% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $90,342.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$89,529
Nominal Salary
89.6
CoL Index
$99,921
Adjusted Salary

Lee's Summit has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $89,529. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 89.6, the purchasing-power equivalent is $99,921, a gain of $10,392.$76.1K$86.7K$97.2K$107.8K$118.4K$89,529NominalSalary$99,921CoL Adjusted(CoL: 89.6) 11.61%US Median $102.9K

Lee's Summit, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $89,529 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,921 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.

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2020 BLS Actual

$68,167

2025 BLS Actual

$85,314

2026 Current Est.

$89,529

2020–2027 Growth

+37.8%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lee's Summit (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Lee's Summit. Baseline $68,167 in 2025, projected to $93,951 by 2027.$63.0K$72.0K$81.1K$90.1K$99.1K202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$68.2K$77.0K$76.6K$80.2K$83.5K$85.3K$89.5K$94.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2020$68,167Actual
2021$76,990Actual
2022$76,618Actual
2023$80,158Actual
2024$83,498Actual
2025$85,314Actual
2026(current)$89,529Estimated
2027$93,951Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.2% from $68,167 (2020) to $85,314 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,784 (37.82%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$68,216$75,776
3-5 years (Mid Career)$75,776$89,529
5+ years (Experienced)$89,529$101,796
10+ years (Top Earner)$101,796$119,711

RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lee's Summit

|SPLIT|

The employment environment in Lee's Summit reflects a cost of living index of 89.6, which is below the national average. This relative affordability can enhance the take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists, despite salaries that are lower than the national benchmark. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Pacific Dental and Heartland Dental are known for offering higher compensation packages, often supplemented by attractive sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits that can be lacking in solo practices. The substantial variance in pay can also be attributed to production-based incentives linked to patient recall and scheduling options, with a typical 4-day workweek often yielding better earnings than traditional schedules. To maximize pay within the Lee's Summit market, dental hygienists should consider opportunities in larger group practices or DSOs, aiming for positions that provide structured benefits and growth potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Lee's Summit, MO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental hygienist salary in Lee's Summit is $89,529/year ($43.05/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Salaries range from $68,216 at entry level (10th percentile) to $119,711 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Lee's Summit at 13.0% below the national median. Full-time dental hygienists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Lee's Summit, MO a good place to work as a dental hygienist?

Lee's Summit dental hygienist salaries are 13.0% below the national average and 0.9% below the Missouri state average. The metro area employs approximately 20 dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental hygienists make $100K in Lee's Summit?

Top-earning dental hygienists in Lee's Summit (90th percentile) make $119,711/year, which exceeds $100K. The median is $89,529. To reach six figures, dental hygienists typically need 5–10+ years of experience combined with specialty certifications and expanded-function credentials.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Lee's Summit?

After adjusting for Lee's Summit's cost-of-living index of 89.6 (where 100 equals the national average), the $89,529 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $99,921 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 11.6% further in Lee's Summit compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for dental hygienists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Lee's Summit?

Dental Hygienists in Lee's Summit earn a median hourly rate of $43.05, which translates to approximately $89,529/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $32.79 for entry-level positions to $57.55 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental hygienists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $85,314 for dental hygienistsin the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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