Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $49.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Burlington, VT runs $49.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,920 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $49.62, which slightly surpasses the national median of $49.49. This competitive hourly wage is particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers, allowing flexibility in traditional settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. For those entering the profession, hourly compensation starts around $43.48, while more experienced professionals can command up to $55.51. The available BLS data underscores the potential for dental hygienists in this area to earn a solid wage as they navigate various care settings within the Burlington community.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.48 | $347.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.70 | $389.62 |
| Median (P50) | $49.62 | $396.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.20 | $409.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.51 | $444.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $49.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.62/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $103,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,539. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,984.63 | $8,600 | $103,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,190.78 | $5,160 | $61,920 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $793.85 | $3,440 | $41,280 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Burlington) | $49.62 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.62/hr = $61,920/year (purchasing power: $61,338).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,201/year (purchasing power: $102,230).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$32.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.62/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+61.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burlington grew 46.3% from $32.32/hr (2020) to $47.28/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Burlington
For a dental hygienist working part-time three days per week, taking home income dramatically contrasts with a full-time schedule. Assuming a 24-hour workweek at the current rates, this part-time professional could expect an annual income of approximately $61,000, which reflects a comfortable living in a city with a slightly above-average cost of living index. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Burlington also offers options, with rates ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, influenced by the employer's type. Positions in solo practices may offer lower hourly pay but provide benefits like health insurance, while roles in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) could yield higher pay but fewer benefits, leading many to weigh their options carefully. It's vital for dental hygienists in Burlington to negotiate terms skillfully, focusing on not just hourly pay but also the overall benefits package to ensure a balanced work-life experience.
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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