Dental Hygienist Salary in Vermillion, SD: $88,240 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Vermillion, SD earns a median $88,240/year (≈ $42.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Vermillion's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $95,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a dental hygienist salary in Vermillion, South Dakota can expect a median annual income of $88,240, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. This figure represents a salary range from $73,137 at the 10th percentile to $105,908 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential in this market. When comparing this compensation to the national average of $102,946, it reveals that dental hygienist pay in Vermillion SD is approximately 14.29% lower than the national benchmark. Despite this disparity, the local market showcases a steady annual growth rate of 4.94%, suggesting a robust future for dental hygienists in the region.
About the Vermillion Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($85,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,137 | $35.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,929 | $37.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,240 | $42.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,440 | $46.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,908 | $50.92 |
Median Salary Position
14.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vermillion
In Vermillion, SD, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,771 (2026 est.). At $88,240, the local median is 14.29% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vermillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vermillion Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Vermillion median: $88,240/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vermillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,498 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -14.29% less |
Dental Hygienists in Vermillion, SD earn a median of $88,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.29% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $95,498.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vermillion has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vermillion, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $88,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,086 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,513
2025 BLS Actual
$84,086
2026 Current Est.
$88,240
2020–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Vermillion (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,877 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,372 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,240 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,599 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermillion metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.0% from $69,513 (2020) to $84,086 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,086 (33.21%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermillion 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) | $73,137 – $77,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,929 – $88,240 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,240 – $96,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,440 – $105,908 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Vermillion
Currently, there are six dental hygienists employed in Vermillion, highlighting a competitive job market despite the lower-than-average pay. The cost-of-living index in the area is 92.8, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for dental hygienists. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are known to offer more substantial compensation packages and benefits compared to solo dental practices or smaller groups, which often lack health insurance and extensive employee benefits. Factors such as production-based bonuses linked to perio recall and recare programs can contribute significantly to pay variations. For those looking to maximize their earnings, exploring opportunities with DSOs, negotiating for part-time or flexible schedules, and seeking out roles that offer attractive sign-on bonuses will be strategic moves in Vermillion’s dental pay landscape.
More salary data for Vermillion, SD:
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 $84,086 for dental hygienistsin the Vermillion 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 Vermillion 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