Dental Hygienist Pay

Newport vs Providence: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Newport, RI and Providence, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newport, RI
$99,461
$47.82/hr
Providence, RI
$93,722
$45.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport, RIProvidence, RI
Median Salary$99,461$93,722
Hourly Rate$47.82$45.06
Entry Level (P10)$78,286$87,247
25th Percentile$85,288$88,181
75th Percentile$109,277$102,568
Top Earner (P90)$124,822$109,431
Total Employed61,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport ($99,461) and Providence ($93,722) dental hygienist salaries.NewportProvidenceMedian Salary$99,461$93,722Entry Level (P10)$78,286$87,247Top Earner (P90)$124,822$109,431US Median $102,946

Verdict

Newport, RI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Providence.

The salary gap between Newport and Providence is $5,739 (6.12%). Newport's median is -3.39% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newport spans $46,536,Providence spans $22,184. Newport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Newport
P10 (Entry)$78,286
P25$85,288
Median$99,461
P75$109,277
P90 (Top)$124,822
Providence
P10 (Entry)$87,247
P25$88,181
Median$93,722
P75$102,568
P90 (Top)$109,431

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Newport ($98,966 effective) pays 7.47% more than Providence ($92,089 effective).

Newport
Nominal: $99,461
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $98,966
Providence
Nominal: $93,722
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $92,089

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newport if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,461/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,822)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,966)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Providence if…

  • Larger job market (1,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Newport grew 29.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Providence over the same period.

Newport, RI

+29.3%

$73,293 (2020) → $94,779 (2025)

Providence, RI

+17.1%

$76,240 (2020) → $89,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Newport or Providence?

Newport has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $99,461/year, compared to Providence at $93,722/year — a difference of $5,739 (6.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport and Providence?

Newport dental hygienists earn $47.82/hr while Providence hygienists earn $45.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newport to Providence as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport and Providence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport = $98,966, Providence = $92,089), job availability (6 vs 1,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Newport vs Providence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,286 in Newport and $87,247 in Providence. The Providence 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