Dental Hygienist Pay

Derry vs Manchester: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Derry, NH and Manchester, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Derry, NH
$106,020
$50.97/hr
Manchester, NH
$105,286
$50.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDerry, NHManchester, NH
Median Salary$106,020$105,286
Hourly Rate$50.97$50.62
Entry Level (P10)$86,359$90,668
25th Percentile$93,062$103,030
75th Percentile$118,569$109,274
Top Earner (P90)$136,476$122,696
Total Employed7430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Derry ($106,020) and Manchester ($105,286) dental hygienist salaries.DerryManchesterMedian Salary$106,020$105,286Entry Level (P10)$86,359$90,668Top Earner (P90)$136,476$122,696US Median $102,946

Verdict

Derry, NH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manchester.

The salary gap between Derry and Manchester is $734 (0.70%). Derry's median is +2.99% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Derry spans $50,117,Manchester spans $32,028. Derry has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Derry
P10 (Entry)$86,359
P25$93,062
Median$106,020
P75$118,569
P90 (Top)$136,476
Manchester
P10 (Entry)$90,668
P25$103,030
Median$105,286
P75$109,274
P90 (Top)$122,696

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manchester ($99,649 effective) pays 0.85% more than Derry ($98,807 effective).

Derry
Nominal: $106,020
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $98,807
Manchester
Nominal: $105,286
CoL Index: 105.657
Adjusted: $99,649

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Derry if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,020/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,476)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Manchester if…

  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,649)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Derry grew 33.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 28.5% growth in Manchester over the same period.

Derry, NH

+33.9%

$75,471 (2020) → $101,029 (2025)

Manchester, NH

+28.5%

$78,050 (2020) → $100,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Derry or Manchester?

Derry has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,020/year, compared to Manchester at $105,286/year — a difference of $734 (0.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Derry and Manchester?

Derry dental hygienists earn $50.97/hr while Manchester hygienists earn $50.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Derry to Manchester as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Derry and Manchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Derry = $98,807, Manchester = $99,649), job availability (7 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Derry vs Manchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $86,359 in Derry and $90,668 in Manchester. The Manchester 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