Dental Hygienist Salary in Burlington, NC: $102,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Burlington, NC earns a median $102,012/year (≈ $49.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $109,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $102,012 in 2026, a figure that reflects a competitive pay environment amidst a favorable cost of living index of 93.196. This suggests that while the salary may be slightly below the national median of $102,946, the real purchasing power for dental hygienists in Burlington remains strong. The projected salary range extends from $84,057 at the 10th percentile to $107,878 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy diversity in compensation potential across the job market. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the growth rate for this occupation is anticipated at 4.94% annually, signaling steady demand for dental hygienists in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,057 | $40.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,714 | $47.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,012 | $49.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,123 | $51.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,878 | $51.86 |
Median Salary Position
0.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,821 (2026 est.). At $102,012, the local median is 0.91% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Burlington Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $102,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,604 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.91% less |
Dental Hygienists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $102,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.91% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% above the North Carolina state average of $100,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $102,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$78,620
2025 BLS Actual
$97,210
2026 Current Est.
$102,012
2020–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,052 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.6% from $78,620 (2020) to $97,210 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,052 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,432 (36.16%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $84,057 – $99,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,714 – $102,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,012 – $107,123 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,123 – $107,878 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Burlington
For those entering the dental hygienist profession in Burlington, NC, understanding the local job market is key. With 100 employed dental hygienists in the area, competition is balanced by demand, particularly from various employers, including solo practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental or Aspen Dental, and pediatric specialty offices. The cost-of-living index indicates that residents have favorable conditions for their earnings, and strategies for maximizing pay could focus on seeking positions within DSOs, known for providing comprehensive benefits and sign-on bonuses, which can significantly enhance overall compensation. Additionally, being aware of the disparities in pay driven by factors such as production incentives tied to patient retention and differences in work schedules — between 4-day and 5-day workweeks — can influence salary outcomes. Therefore, for aspiring dental hygienists keen on maximizing their income in Burlington, remaining informed about employment structures and available benefits will be essential for long-term career success.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in 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 $97,210 for dental hygienistsin the 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
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