The average salary for a Dental Hygienist in Richmond is 73,845 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 6,154 $ gross per month and 35.50 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 52,222 $ to 96,000 $. The analysis is based on 33 salary reports from workers and employers in Richmond. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.
| Date | Job title | Weekly hours | Reported gross/year | Normalized to 40h/year | Gross/month 40h | Gross/hour 40h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/03/2026 | Hygienist - Small Private Practice | 40.0 h | 72,000 $ | 72,000 $ | 6,000 $ | 34.62 $ | I've been at a small private practice for six years; I'm full-time and handle both routine and periodontic maintenance cases. Raises over the past few years reflect regional wage growth. |
| 07/01/2026 | Dental Hygienist (Community Outreach) | 35.0 h | 58,000 $ | 66,286 $ | 5,524 $ | 31.87 $ | I work full-time in community outreach programs providing preventive services and education. The job includes documentation and coordinating with local health partners. |
| 06/30/2026 | Clinical Director / Hygienist | 44.0 h | 105,000 $ | 95,455 $ | 7,955 $ | 45.89 $ | I serve as clinical director overseeing hygiene operations across multiple offices while maintaining a reduced clinical schedule. The leadership and multi-site responsibilities account for the higher pay. |
| 05/22/2026 | Per Diem / Relief Hygienist | 19.0 h | 41,000 $ | 86,316 $ | 7,193 $ | 41.50 $ | I work mostly weekends and cover for other hygienists on a per diem basis, averaging around 19 hours weekly. My schedule gives me flexibility but less predictable income. |
| 04/28/2026 | Dental Hygienist - New Practice | 38.0 h | 67,000 $ | 70,526 $ | 5,877 $ | 33.91 $ | I joined a newly opened private practice as one of the first hygienists. I'm full-time and involved in setting up hygiene protocols and building our patient base. |
| 03/15/2026 | Senior Hygienist / Educator | 40.0 h | 94,000 $ | 94,000 $ | 7,833 $ | 45.19 $ | I split clinical work with mentoring and in-house continuing ed sessions for staff at a large practice. The combined responsibilities and long tenure are reflected in my compensation. |
| 01/07/2026 | Part-time Hygienist - Specialty Clinic | 26.0 h | 52,000 $ | 80,000 $ | 6,667 $ | 38.46 $ | I work part-time at a specialty restorative clinic where my hourly rate is higher, averaging about 26 hours per week focused on restorative hygiene support. |
| 10/19/2025 | Dental Hygienist (Experienced) | 40.0 h | 79,000 $ | 79,000 $ | 6,583 $ | 37.98 $ | I've been a hygienist for over ten years in Richmond and work full-time at a multi-doctor practice. My salary increased in recent years due to demand and my production numbers. |
| 08/01/2025 | Self-Employed Hygienist (Contracted) | 30.0 h | 72,000 $ | 96,000 $ | 8,000 $ | 46.15 $ | I'm self-employed and contract with several offices for higher hourly pay while keeping a lighter weekly schedule around 30 hours. I handle my own benefits and taxes. |
| 06/12/2025 | Mobile Clinic Hygienist | 36.0 h | 61,000 $ | 67,778 $ | 5,648 $ | 32.59 $ | I run a mobile dental unit visiting senior centers and community sites. The role requires travel and flexible scheduling; I've been in this role three years and have steady full-time hours. |
| 03/30/2025 | Clinic Manager / Hygienist | 45.0 h | 92,000 $ | 81,778 $ | 6,815 $ | 39.32 $ | I split time between clinical hygiene and clinic management duties including staffing, payroll oversight, and operations for a busy dental office. My expanded hours reflect managerial responsibilities. |
| 01/21/2025 | Perio-Focused Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 86,000 $ | 86,000 $ | 7,167 $ | 41.35 $ | I specialize in periodontal maintenance at a referral practice and coordinate treatment with periodontists. I've been in this specialty role for nine years and receive premium pay for my expertise. |
| 11/04/2024 | Part-time Hygienist - Private Practice | 22.0 h | 39,000 $ | 70,909 $ | 5,909 $ | 34.09 $ | I work part-time mornings at a two-dentist practice while pursuing additional certification; my role is focused on preventive care and scaling. |
| 08/29/2024 | Dental Hygienist (New Graduate) | 36.0 h | 47,000 $ | 52,222 $ | 4,352 $ | 25.11 $ | I'm a new graduate hired full-time at a small general dentistry office. I perform regular cleanings and am building my patient base; salary reflects entry-level status in this region. |
| 05/17/2024 | Lead Hygienist / Training Coordinator | 44.0 h | 88,000 $ | 80,000 $ | 6,667 $ | 38.46 $ | I supervise all hygienists at a seven-provider clinic and run in-house training. My responsibilities include hiring input and performance reviews in addition to a clinical caseload. |
| 02/05/2024 | Dental Hygienist - School Program | 35.0 h | 54,000 $ | 61,714 $ | 5,143 $ | 29.67 $ | I work in a school-based oral health program providing screenings and sealants. The schedule is full-time during the school year with occasional summer outreach. |
| 10/11/2023 | Senior Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 82,000 $ | 82,000 $ | 6,833 $ | 39.42 $ | As a senior hygienist at a specialty perio practice, I handle advanced periodontal maintenance and coordinate patient care with periodontists. I've been in this niche role seven years. |
| 07/08/2023 | Part-time Hygienist - Relief | 28.0 h | 48,000 $ | 68,571 $ | 5,714 $ | 32.97 $ | I do relief and part-time coverage for multiple practices, averaging about 28 hours per week. My hourly rate is higher than staff hygienists because of the variable schedule. |
| 04/27/2023 | Corporate Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 75,000 $ | 75,000 $ | 6,250 $ | 36.06 $ | I work at a large corporate dental group as a full-time hygienist. Duties are clinical with productivity targets; I've been here two years and received raises tied to production metrics. |
| 01/19/2023 | Self-Employed Hygienist (Owner/Operator) | 45.0 h | 98,000 $ | 87,111 $ | 7,259 $ | 41.88 $ | I run a small private hygiene-focused practice where I perform clinical work and handle business administration. My role is both clinical and managerial and I work longer hours to keep the business running. |
| 09/10/2022 | Clinic Hygienist - Community Health | 36.0 h | 59,000 $ | 65,556 $ | 5,463 $ | 31.52 $ | I work at a federally funded community health center. I see a high volume of Medicaid/underserved patients and participate in outreach programs; been here four years. |
| 06/02/2022 | Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 70,000 $ | 70,000 $ | 5,833 $ | 33.65 $ | I've worked seven years at a multi-doctor practice. I'm full-time and handle perio maintenance and some restorative support; pay was adjusted for competitive market pressures in 2021. |
| 03/21/2022 | Part-time Hygienist - Private Practice | 18.0 h | 32,000 $ | 71,111 $ | 5,926 $ | 34.19 $ | I work part-time evenings at a private practice while finishing school; I'm a licensed hygienist with limited hours focused on prophylaxis and patient education. |
| 11/30/2021 | Senior Hygienist / Team Lead | 42.0 h | 78,000 $ | 74,286 $ | 6,190 $ | 35.71 $ | I am a senior hygienist who also manages the hygiene team schedules and continuing education compliance at a high-volume clinic. My role has leadership responsibilities in addition to patient care. |
| 07/14/2021 | Dental Hygienist (Mid-level) | 38.0 h | 61,000 $ | 64,211 $ | 5,351 $ | 30.87 $ | I am a mid-level hygienist with six years experience at a family dental office. I work full-time and occasionally cover smaller administrative tasks. |
| 04/09/2021 | Clinical Dental Hygienist | 36.0 h | 64,000 $ | 71,111 $ | 5,926 $ | 34.19 $ | I've been at a large corporate dental practice for three years as a full-time clinical hygienist. Duties include scaling, fluoride application, and chairside anesthesia support; benefits are included. |
| 12/03/2020 | Dental Hygienist (Temporary / Per Diem) | 20.0 h | 38,000 $ | 76,000 $ | 6,333 $ | 36.54 $ | I work per diem across several offices and logged roughly 20 hours a week on average last year. My pay fluctuates by clinic and there is no guaranteed schedule. |
| 08/14/2020 | Lead Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 72,000 $ | 72,000 $ | 6,000 $ | 34.62 $ | I'm the lead hygienist at a six-chair private practice. In addition to clinical duties, I oversee scheduling and mentor newer hygienists. I've been in this management-like role for four years. |
| 11/02/2019 | Public Health Dental Hygienist | 36.0 h | 56,000 $ | 62,222 $ | 5,185 $ | 29.91 $ | I work at a public health clinic providing school and community outreach. I've been in this role five years and the position includes travel to local schools and some administrative reporting. |
| 06/18/2019 | Part-time Dental Hygienist | 24.0 h | 45,000 $ | 75,000 $ | 6,250 $ | 36.06 $ | I work part-time evenings and Saturdays at a small community practice; I've been here three years and focus on preventive care and patient education. |
| 11/05/2018 | Senior Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 68,000 $ | 68,000 $ | 5,667 $ | 32.69 $ | I'm a senior hygienist with eight years' experience at a busy private practice. I handle complex perio cases and coordinate recall schedules; I don't have formal managerial title but take lead on clinical protocols. |
| 03/22/2017 | Dental Hygienist | 40.0 h | 60,000 $ | 60,000 $ | 5,000 $ | 28.85 $ | I've worked four years as a full-time hygienist in a mid-size general dentistry office. My pay reflects standard clinical duties and spot responsibility for training new hires. |
| 09/12/2016 | Dental Hygienist (Entry-level) | 38.0 h | 52,000 $ | 54,737 $ | 4,561 $ | 26.32 $ | I'm an entry-level hygienist; I've been here one year at a two-dentist private practice doing routine cleanings and perio maintenance in a full-time role. Hours are steady but I do not supervise staff. |
Richmond’s health care sector continues to expand, and dental care is a steady part of that growth. As the state capital with a diverse economy and a large academic medical presence, the Richmond metro (including Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and nearby counties) sustains year-round demand for preventive and periodontal services. Dental Hygienists in Richmond, Virginia often find openings across private practices, group practices, and community health settings, with employers seeking professionals who are comfortable with digital workflows, patient education, and team-based care.
National projections point to continued growth for the profession, and local indicators mirror that trend. Population gains in suburban areas like Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, and Chesterfield, combined with an aging population that needs ongoing periodontal maintenance, generally support consistent hiring. In addition, Virginia’s move to provide comprehensive adult dental benefits under Medicaid (effective 2021) has increased patient volumes in safety-net clinics and some private offices that accept public insurance, contributing to sustained staffing needs.
Richmond’s dental market is anchored by a mix of independent dentists and larger multi-location groups. Practices frequently post for full-time and part-time hygienists, and many offer flexible schedules to cover extended hours and weekend appointments. Employers typically look for candidates licensed by the Virginia Board of Dentistry, with current CPR certification, proficiency in digital radiography and charting (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental), and strong periodontal therapy skills. Virginia allows qualified hygienists to administer local anesthesia with additional certification, a credential that many Richmond practices value because it can improve patient flow and comfort during scaling and root planing.
Public health opportunities are notable locally. The Richmond City Health District and Virginia Department of Health-supported programs often utilize hygienists for school-based sealants, community outreach, and prevention initiatives under remote supervision. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the city and surrounding counties also provide a consistent pipeline of roles focused on access to care and comprehensive prevention.
Dental Hygienists in Richmond can consider a broad range of employers. Examples include:
Other specialty and implant-focused practices in the metro also recruit hygienists for maintenance therapy, patient education, and pre/post-operative care, though requirements and daily tasks can vary by specialty.
Hygienists in Richmond typically work in general dentistry, but there are strong pathways into periodontics, pediatrics, and community health. Clinicians with experience in periodontal therapy, anesthesia delivery (where licensed), and patient motivation/coaching are especially attractive to employers aiming to grow comprehensive hygiene programs. Technology skills—such as using intraoral scanners for patient education, managing digital records, and integrating caries-risk assessment tools—can further differentiate candidates.
Because Richmond is home to the VCU School of Dentistry and an active dental community, continuing education is readily available, helping hygienists maintain licensure and add competencies. Over time, many professionals advance into roles such as lead hygienist, hygiene coordinator, clinical mentor, or practice manager, and some transition into education, outreach, or corporate clinical support.
Overall, the hiring outlook for Dental Hygienists in Richmond, Virginia is positive. The combination of steady suburban growth, strong academic and public health infrastructure, and a robust mix of private and group practices provides a healthy environment for early-career and experienced hygienists alike. Candidates who are patient-centered, adaptable, and comfortable working in collaborative teams will generally find consistent opportunities across the metro area.
The average salary for a Dental Hygienist in Richmond is 73,845 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 6,154 $ gross per month.
Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.
You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Dental Hygienist and the city overview for Richmond. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.
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