Dental Hygienist Salary in Montpelier, VT: $98,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Montpelier, VT earns a median $98,133/year (≈ $47.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Montpelier's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $94,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Montpelier, VT, is projected to reach $98,133, placing it slightly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $80,869 at the 10th percentile to $117,264 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Despite the close alignment with national figures, the local average salary reflects a unique economic landscape. Montpelier's job market is constrained with only four dental hygienists employed in the area, indicating that opportunities may be limited, which can affect overall salary dynamics.
About the Montpelier Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($100,950) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,869 | $38.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,112 | $40.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,133 | $47.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,264 | $56.37 |
Median Salary Position
4.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montpelier
In Montpelier, VT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,395 (2026 est.). At $98,133, the local median is 4.68% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montpelier: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montpelier Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Montpelier median: $98,133/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montpelier Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $106,550 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.68% less |
Dental Hygienists in Montpelier, VT earn a median of $98,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.90% below the Vermont state average of $106,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montpelier has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montpelier, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,133 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,814 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,485
2025 BLS Actual
$93,513
2026 Current Est.
$98,133
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Montpelier (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,485 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,594 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,437 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,980 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montpelier metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.3% from $73,485 (2020) to $93,513 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,495 (40.14%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montpelier 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) | $80,869 – $84,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,112 – $98,133 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,133 – $104,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,850 – $117,264 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Montpelier
Examining the local job market, the cost of living index in Montpelier stands at 103.5, suggesting that while salaries are relatively high, they must also contend with a slightly elevated living expense. Among the dental practices in the area, multi-doctor group practices tend to offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that often provide enticing sign-on bonuses for new hygienists. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the type of practice, the number of workdays scheduled, and production-based bonuses linked to patient recall and retention. Consequently, dental hygienists seeking to maximize their pay in Montpelier should consider positions with DSOs or large group practices while actively negotiating for benefits like health insurance that are more common in these settings compared to solo practices. Understanding the specific needs of different employment structures can lead to improved compensation and job satisfaction in this market.
More salary data for Montpelier, 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
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 $93,513 for dental hygienistsin the Montpelier 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 Montpelier 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