Dental Hygienist Pay

Avon vs Indianapolis: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Avon, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon, IN
$85,028
$40.87/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$102,285
$49.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$85,028$102,285
Hourly Rate$40.87$49.17
Entry Level (P10)$65,750$80,762
25th Percentile$76,920$96,031
75th Percentile$92,841$105,842
Top Earner (P90)$104,827$119,579
Total Employed51,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon ($85,028) and Indianapolis ($102,285) dental hygienist salaries.AvonIndianapolisMedian Salary$85,028$102,285Entry Level (P10)$65,750$80,762Top Earner (P90)$104,827$119,579US Median $102,946

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon.

The salary gap between Avon and Indianapolis is $17,257 (20.30%). Indianapolis's median is -0.64% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon spans $39,077,Indianapolis spans $38,817. Avon has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Avon
P10 (Entry)$65,750
P25$76,920
Median$85,028
P75$92,841
P90 (Top)$104,827
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$80,762
P25$96,031
Median$102,285
P75$105,842
P90 (Top)$119,579

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($106,885 effective) pays 14.77% more than Avon ($93,130 effective).

Avon
Nominal: $85,028
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $93,130
Indianapolis
Nominal: $102,285
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $106,885

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,285/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,579)
  • Larger job market (1,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,885)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Avon grew 13.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Avon, IN

+13.7%

$71,235 (2020) → $81,025 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+20.0%

$81,200 (2020) → $97,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Avon or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $102,285/year, compared to Avon at $85,028/year — a difference of $17,257 (20.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon and Indianapolis?

Avon dental hygienists earn $40.87/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $49.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon to Indianapolis as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon = $93,130, Indianapolis = $106,885), job availability (5 vs 1,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Avon vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $65,750 in Avon and $80,762 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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