Pay range in Ohio
| Hourly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36.67/hr | $76,274 |
| 25th percentile | $38.93/hr | $80,974 |
| Median (50th) | $42.78/hr | $88,982 |
| 75th percentile | $46.74/hr | $97,219 |
| 90th percentile | $49.50/hr | $102,960 |
| Mean | $43.22/hr | $89,898 |
Pay by city in Ohio
| Metro area | Median hourly | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $49.49/hr | $102,939 | 1,700 |
| Columbus | $46.58/hr | $96,886 | 1,700 |
Ohio against its neighbours
| Median hourly | Median annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $42.78/hr | $88,982 |
| Michigan | $40.28/hr | $83,782 |
| Indiana | $44.39/hr | $92,331 |
| Pennsylvania | $38.76/hr | $80,621 |
| West Virginia | $35.50/hr | $73,840 |
| Kentucky | $37.90/hr | $78,832 |
| United States | $47.16/hr | $98,093 |
What stands out in Ohio
- 8,630 hygienists work in Ohio, 3.9% of the 222,740 employed nationwide.
- Prices in Ohio run 7.2% below the national average (BEA, 2024), so the median hourly rate buys about what $46.11/hr would at average US prices.
- The gap between the 10th and 90th percentile is $12.83 an hour: a new graduate at $36.67/hr and a top earner at $49.50/hr can work in the same state.
- Of the metro areas we track, Cincinnati pays the most at a $49.49/hr median, and Columbus the least at $46.58/hr.
- Of its neighbours, Indiana pays a higher median, which matters for practices near those borders.
- Hygienists in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio State Dental Board. Licence, permit and scope-of-practice rules are set there; check them before you relocate or hire from out of state.
Hiring a hygienist in Ohio?
An offer at the Ohio median, $42.78/hr, is already matched or beaten by the pay of half the hygienists you would be recruiting from. An offer at the 75th percentile, $46.74/hr, beats three in four local paychecks. If the budget stops short of that, the offer has to win on something else the candidate cares about, such as guaranteed hours or the schedule.