Dental Hygienist Salary in Vermont: $102,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $102,827/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,350 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($98,830), Burlington ($98,330), Bennington ($97,293).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Vermont are projected to earn an average median salary of $102,828, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a difference of -0.1%. The highest paying city for this profession is South Burlington, with an average salary of $103,712, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $98,133, creating a salary gap of $5,579. Factors contributing to this disparity may include cost of living variations, practice demand, and local dental office competition. Vermont has specific licensing requirements for dental hygienists, necessitating a degree from an accredited program and passing a national exam, which helps maintain high professional standards. The scope of practice laws enable hygienists to perform essential duties, driving demand in both urban and rural areas. In 2026, approximately 290 dental hygienists are expected to be employed statewide, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, indicating a healthy job market outlook. The top five cities for salaries include Burlington at $103,188, Bennington at $102,099, Brattleboro at $100,945, and Essex Junction at $100,729, all contributing to an optimistic employment trajectory for dental hygienists in Vermont.
Vermont Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $78,540 (lowest entry-level) to $128,861 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont dental hygienists earn 0.12% less than the national median ($-119/year difference).
Vermont Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Vermont range from $89,049 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $116,339 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $102,827. The Vermont median is $119 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $49.44/hr. Approximately 290 dental hygienists are employed across 9 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$66,548
2025 BLS Actual
$97,987
2026 Current Est.
$102,827
2020–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Vermont (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $66,548 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,873 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,779 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,535 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,628 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,987 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,907 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.2% from $66,548 (2020) to $97,987 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,359 (62.15%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $98,133 |
| Colchester | $98,629 |
| Rutland | $98,741 |
| Barre | $100,592 |
| Essex Junction | $100,729 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $103,188 | 100.949 | $102,218 |
| South Burlington | $103,712 | 103.5 | $100,205 |
| Bennington | $102,099 | 103.5 | $98,646 |
| Brattleboro | $100,945 | 103.5 | $97,531 |
| Essex Junction | $100,729 | 103.5 | $97,323 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,049 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $102,827 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $116,339 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $103,712 |
| 2 | Burlington | $103,188 |
| 3 | Bennington | $102,099 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $100,945 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $100,729 |
| 6 | Barre | $100,592 |
| 7 | Rutland | $98,741 |
| 8 | Colchester | $98,629 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $98,133 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Vermont?
How does Vermont dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Vermont?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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