Dental Hygienist Salary in South Burlington, VT: $103,712 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in South Burlington, VT earns a median $103,712/year (≈ $49.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $100,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in South Burlington is projected to be $103,712 annually, placing it slightly above the national median of $102,946. This figure reflects a competitive job market, especially considering South Burlington has a small employment base with only four dental hygienists currently in practice. The salary range for dental hygienists in this area varies significantly, spanning from $80,651 at the 10th percentile to $128,861 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic conditions, indicating a healthy potential for earnings in response to local demand despite market saturation levels.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($100,950) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,651 | $38.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,061 | $42.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,712 | $49.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,861 | $54.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,861 | $61.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,210 (2026 est.). At $103,712, the local median is 0.74% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $103,712/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $106,590 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.74% more |
Dental Hygienists in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $103,712 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.70% below the Vermont state average of $106,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Burlington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,712 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,205 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$63,517
2025 BLS Actual
$98,830
2026 Current Est.
$103,712
2020–2027 Growth
+71.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in South Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $63,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,173 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,637 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,024 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,712 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,836 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 55.6% from $63,517 (2020) to $98,830 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,319 (71.35%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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) | $80,651 – $88,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,061 – $103,712 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,712 – $113,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,861 – $128,861 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in South Burlington
The job market for dental hygienists in South Burlington remains relatively robust, although the number of employed professionals is limited. With a cost-of-living index of 103.5, dental hygienists must consider how their earnings translate into real purchasing power. Those entering the field should explore opportunities within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which are known to offer higher compensation packages that often include sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and the number of days worked each week. To maximize take-home pay in this specific market, it is advisable for dental hygienists to negotiate contract details and consider roles that prioritize both salary and benefits, as the benefits gap can significantly impact long-term earnings and job satisfaction in South Burlington, VT.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in South Burlington, VT in 2026?
Is South Burlington, VT a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in South Burlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in South Burlington?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in South Burlington?
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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 $98,830 for dental hygienistsin the South 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
Salary data for South Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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