Dental Hygienist Salary in Burlington, VT: $103,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Burlington, VT earns a median $103,188/year (≈ $49.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $102,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $103,188, which aligns closely with the national median of $102,946. This strong compensation package is significant given the local cost of living index of 100.949, slightly above the national average. The salary range for dental hygienists in Burlington spans from $90,427 at the 10th percentile to $115,465 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive market for skilled professionals. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, this data reflects the current dynamics of the job market in Burlington, where a balance between quality of life and professional remuneration is increasingly important.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,427 | $43.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,299 | $48.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,188 | $49.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,483 | $51.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,465 | $55.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,038 (2026 est.). At $103,188, the local median is 0.24% above the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be above the median
How Burlington Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $103,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $106,599 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.24% more |
Dental Hygienists in Burlington, VT earn a median of $103,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.24% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Vermont state average of $106,599.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,188 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,218 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,230
2025 BLS Actual
$98,330
2026 Current Est.
$103,188
2020–2027 Growth
+61.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,285 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 46.3% from $67,230 (2020) to $98,330 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,285 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,055 (61.07%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $90,427 – $101,299 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,299 – $103,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,188 – $106,483 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,483 – $115,465 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Burlington
With approximately 250 dental hygienists employed locally, Burlington's job market is steady, allowing for opportunities amidst a growing demand. The cost-of-living reality means that salaries must accommodate daily expenditures, making it vital for professionals to consider their overall compensation package. Employers such as multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the most lucrative pay, including benefits like health insurance and production-based bonuses. These incentives can significantly boost earnings, especially for hygienists who work in pediatric specialty offices or periodontal practices. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Burlington, professionals should strategically seek out positions at DSOs, negotiate for production bonuses, and be diligent about understanding the benefits offered across varied employment settings. This insight equips dental hygienists to better assess job offers and align their career moves with their financial goals.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,330 for dental hygienistsin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov