Dental Hygienist Salary in Camden, NJ: $103,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Camden, NJ earns a median $103,274/year (≈ $49.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $89,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Camden, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $103,274, aligning closely with the national median of $102,946. This reflects a slight increase of 0.32%, illustrating Camden's competitive positioning within the state, despite the broader New Jersey average being about 12.90% lower. The salary range offers potential earnings from $79,391 at the 10th percentile to as much as $134,027 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a diverse market with opportunities across various practice settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and account for regional price variances that impact the local economy. The job market in Camden indicates robust employment prospects in dental hygiene, which should attract both seasoned professionals and emerging graduates.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($97,839) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,391 | $38.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,625 | $42.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,274 | $49.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,772 | $55.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,027 | $64.43 |
Median Salary Position
0.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,636 (2026 est.). At $103,274, the local median is 0.32% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Camden median: $103,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,569 | -12.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.32% more |
Dental Hygienists in Camden, NJ earn a median of $103,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 12.90% below the New Jersey state average of $118,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,648 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$82,130
2025 BLS Actual
$98,412
2026 Current Est.
$103,274
2020–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Camden (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $82,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,537 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,645 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,401 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,375 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 19.8% from $82,130 (2020) to $98,412 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,245 (31.96%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $79,391 – $87,625 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,625 – $103,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,274 – $115,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,772 – $134,027 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Camden
Employment for dental hygienists in Camden stands at 16 individuals, demonstrating a localized market that still presents opportunities amid the competitive field. Despite a cost of living index at 115.2, which indicates higher expenses compared to the national average, the area offers an attractive pay scale for dental hygienists. Among the various employer types in Camden, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen are known to provide some of the most competitive salaries, often supplemented by benefits and sign-on bonuses. The disparity between lower and higher pay rates in this market can be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses tied to patient retention efforts and varying work schedules. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Camden, it's advisable to consider employment with DSOs or larger group practices, as these tend to offer more comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices, which often lack health insurance coverage.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 $98,412 for dental hygienistsin the Camden 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 Camden 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