Dental Hygienist Pay

Barre vs Bennington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Barre, VT
$100,592
$48.37/hr
Bennington, VT
$102,099
$49.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarre, VTBennington, VT
Median Salary$100,592$102,099
Hourly Rate$48.37$49.09
Entry Level (P10)$78,540$82,330
25th Percentile$85,323$88,502
75th Percentile$106,785$110,019
Top Earner (P90)$118,600$123,509
Total Employed66
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barre ($100,592) and Bennington ($102,099) dental hygienist salaries.BarreBenningtonMedian Salary$100,592$102,099Entry Level (P10)$78,540$82,330Top Earner (P90)$118,600$123,509US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Barre and Bennington is $1,507 (1.50%). Bennington's median is -0.82% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barre spans $40,060,Bennington spans $41,179. Bennington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Barre
P10 (Entry)$78,540
P25$85,323
Median$100,592
P75$106,785
P90 (Top)$118,600
Bennington
P10 (Entry)$82,330
P25$88,502
Median$102,099
P75$110,019
P90 (Top)$123,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bennington ($98,646 effective) pays 1.50% more than Barre ($97,190 effective).

Barre
Nominal: $100,592
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $97,190
Bennington
Nominal: $102,099
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $98,646

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barre if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Bennington if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,099/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,509)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,646)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Barre grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.0% growth in Bennington over the same period.

Barre, VT

+1.6%

$94,386 (2024) → $95,857 (2025)

Bennington, VT

+51.0%

$64,422 (2020) → $97,293 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Barre or Bennington?

Bennington has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $102,099/year, compared to Barre at $100,592/year — a difference of $1,507 (1.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barre and Bennington?

Barre dental hygienists earn $48.37/hr while Bennington hygienists earn $49.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barre to Bennington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barre and Bennington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barre = $97,190, Bennington = $98,646), job availability (6 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,540 in Barre and $82,330 in Bennington. 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