Dental Hygienist Pay

Bennington vs South Burlington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Bennington, VT
$102,099
$49.09/hr
South Burlington, VT
$103,712
$49.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTSouth Burlington, VT
Median Salary$102,099$103,712
Hourly Rate$49.09$49.86
Entry Level (P10)$82,330$80,651
25th Percentile$88,502$88,061
75th Percentile$110,019$113,861
Top Earner (P90)$123,509$128,861
Total Employed64
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($102,099) and South Burlington ($103,712) dental hygienist salaries.BenningtonSouth BurlingtonMedian Salary$102,099$103,712Entry Level (P10)$82,330$80,651Top Earner (P90)$123,509$128,861US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bennington and South Burlington is $1,613 (1.58%). South Burlington's median is +0.74% 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,South Burlington spans $48,210. South Burlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$82,330
P25$88,502
Median$102,099
P75$110,019
P90 (Top)$123,509
South Burlington
P10 (Entry)$80,651
P25$88,061
Median$103,712
P75$113,861
P90 (Top)$128,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, South Burlington ($100,205 effective) pays 1.58% more than Bennington ($98,646 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $102,099
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $98,646
South Burlington
Nominal: $103,712
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $100,205

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • Larger job market (6 employed)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose South Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,712/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,861)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,205)
  • 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 55.6% growth in South Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+51.0%

$64,422 (2020) → $97,293 (2025)

South Burlington, VT

+55.6%

$63,517 (2020) → $98,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Bennington or South Burlington?

South Burlington has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,712/year, compared to Bennington at $102,099/year — a difference of $1,613 (1.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and South Burlington?

Bennington dental hygienists earn $49.09/hr while South Burlington hygienists earn $49.86/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and South Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $98,646, South Burlington = $100,205), job availability (6 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,330 in Bennington and $80,651 in South Burlington. The Bennington 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