Dental Hygienist Pay

Elizabeth vs Vineland: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Elizabeth, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabeth, NJ
$119,679
$57.54/hr
Vineland, NJ
$104,059
$50.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabeth, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$119,679$104,059
Hourly Rate$57.54$50.02
Entry Level (P10)$94,043$90,374
25th Percentile$103,820$100,081
75th Percentile$136,009$105,024
Top Earner (P90)$159,910$105,801
Total Employed2590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabeth ($119,679) and Vineland ($104,059) dental hygienist salaries.ElizabethVinelandMedian Salary$119,679$104,059Entry Level (P10)$94,043$90,374Top Earner (P90)$159,910$105,801US Median $102,946

Verdict

Elizabeth, NJ offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vineland.

The salary gap between Elizabeth and Vineland is $15,620 (15.01%). Elizabeth's median is +16.25% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabeth spans $65,867,Vineland spans $15,427. Elizabeth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elizabeth
P10 (Entry)$94,043
P25$103,820
Median$119,679
P75$136,009
P90 (Top)$159,910
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$90,374
P25$100,081
Median$104,059
P75$105,024
P90 (Top)$105,801

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($108,431 effective) pays 4.37% more than Elizabeth ($103,888 effective).

Elizabeth
Nominal: $119,679
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $103,888
Vineland
Nominal: $104,059
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $108,431

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabeth if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,679/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,910)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,431)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Elizabeth grew 33.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Elizabeth, NJ

+33.0%

$85,767 (2020) → $114,045 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+22.3%

$81,050 (2020) → $99,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Elizabeth or Vineland?

Elizabeth has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $119,679/year, compared to Vineland at $104,059/year — a difference of $15,620 (15.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabeth and Vineland?

Elizabeth dental hygienists earn $57.54/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $50.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabeth to Vineland as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabeth and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabeth = $103,888, Vineland = $108,431), job availability (25 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Elizabeth vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $94,043 in Elizabeth and $90,374 in Vineland. The Elizabeth 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