Dental Hygienist Pay

Bennington vs Burlington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Bennington, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$102,099
$49.09/hr
Burlington, VT
$103,188
$49.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$102,099$103,188
Hourly Rate$49.09$49.62
Entry Level (P10)$82,330$90,427
25th Percentile$88,502$101,299
75th Percentile$110,019$106,483
Top Earner (P90)$123,509$115,465
Total Employed6250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($102,099) and Burlington ($103,188) dental hygienist salaries.BenningtonBurlingtonMedian Salary$102,099$103,188Entry Level (P10)$82,330$90,427Top Earner (P90)$123,509$115,465US Median $102,946

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bennington.

The salary gap between Bennington and Burlington is $1,089 (1.07%). Burlington's median is +0.24% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $41,179,Burlington spans $25,038. Bennington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$82,330
P25$88,502
Median$102,099
P75$110,019
P90 (Top)$123,509
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$90,427
P25$101,299
Median$103,188
P75$106,483
P90 (Top)$115,465

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($102,218 effective) pays 3.62% more than Bennington ($98,646 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $102,099
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $98,646
Burlington
Nominal: $103,188
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $102,218

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,509)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,188/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,218)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Bennington grew 51.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 46.3% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+51.0%

$64,422 (2020) → $97,293 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+46.3%

$67,230 (2020) → $98,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Bennington or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,188/year, compared to Bennington at $102,099/year — a difference of $1,089 (1.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and Burlington?

Bennington dental hygienists earn $49.09/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $49.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to Burlington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $98,646, Burlington = $102,218), job availability (6 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Bennington vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,330 in Bennington and $90,427 in Burlington. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
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