Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in South Burlington, VT: $49.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in South Burlington, VT runs $49.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,712 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against South Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,222 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Burlington, Vermont, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $49.86, which slightly surpasses the national median of $49.49. This rate offers considerable potential for part-time workers, especially those employed three days a week, who can efficiently balance work with personal commitments while still earning a respectable income. The hourly pay for dental hygienists can range from $38.78 for entry-level professionals to as much as $61.96 for the highest earners in the field. Whether working in diverse settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, or public health mobile units, these projected figures are derived from annual salary estimates, translating into competitive compensation for those seeking hourly positions.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($100,950) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.78 | $310.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.33 | $338.66 |
| Median (P50) | $49.86 | $398.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.74 | $437.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.96 | $495.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Burlington
Based on $49.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.86/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $103,703 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,828. With a cost-of-living index of 103.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in South Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,994.28 | $8,642 | $103,703 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,196.57 | $5,185 | $62,222 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $797.71 | $3,457 | $41,481 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (South Burlington) | $49.86 |
| 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 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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.86/hr = $62,222/year (purchasing power: $60,117).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,703/year (purchasing power: $100,196).
CoL index: 103.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$30.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.86/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+71.3%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in South Burlington grew 55.6% from $30.54/hr (2020) to $47.51/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.32/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in South Burlington
Shifting to the earning potential for part-time hygienists, individuals working just 24 hours a week could see their annual income differ significantly from their full-time counterparts. In South Burlington, part-time dental hygienists may earn about $62,080 per year, depending on their hourly engagements and variations in hours. Per diem dental hygienist pay in South Burlington often fluctuates, typically ranging from $40 to $60 per hour when accounting for agency positions, although metropolitan areas with high costs of living can push rates even higher. Hourly compensation varies significantly based on the type of employer, whether it’s a private practice, a DSO like Heartland or Aspen, or a specialty office. Many hygienists might trade off some hourly rate for benefits, suggesting that negotiating for better pay while considering health insurance options remains crucial for professionals in this field. Those entering discussions about their hourly pay should do so armed with area-specific data, clearly understanding how South Burlington’s dental hygienist hourly pay compares to similar roles across the state and country.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in South Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in South Burlington?
Are dental hygienists in South Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in South Burlington?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time 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
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 South 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
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