Dental Hygienist Pay

Montclair vs Vineland: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Montclair, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Montclair, NJ
$117,424
$56.46/hr
Vineland, NJ
$104,059
$50.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMontclair, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$117,424$104,059
Hourly Rate$56.46$50.02
Entry Level (P10)$91,527$90,374
25th Percentile$104,938$100,081
75th Percentile$126,192$105,024
Top Earner (P90)$142,735$105,801
Total Employed1090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Montclair ($117,424) and Vineland ($104,059) dental hygienist salaries.MontclairVinelandMedian Salary$117,424$104,059Entry Level (P10)$91,527$90,374Top Earner (P90)$142,735$105,801US Median $102,946

Verdict

Montclair, NJ offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Vineland.

The salary gap between Montclair and Vineland is $13,365 (12.84%). Montclair's median is +14.06% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Montclair spans $51,208,Vineland spans $15,427. Montclair has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Montclair
P10 (Entry)$91,527
P25$104,938
Median$117,424
P75$126,192
P90 (Top)$142,735
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$90,374
P25$100,081
Median$104,059
P75$105,024
P90 (Top)$105,801

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($108,431 effective) pays 6.38% more than Montclair ($101,931 effective).

Montclair
Nominal: $117,424
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $101,931
Vineland
Nominal: $104,059
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $108,431

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Montclair if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,424/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,735)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,431)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Montclair grew 33.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Vineland over the same period.

Montclair, NJ

+33.0%

$84,151 (2020) → $111,896 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+22.3%

$81,050 (2020) → $99,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Montclair or Vineland?

Montclair has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $117,424/year, compared to Vineland at $104,059/year — a difference of $13,365 (12.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Montclair and Vineland?

Montclair dental hygienists earn $56.46/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $50.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Montclair to Vineland as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Montclair and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Montclair = $101,931, Vineland = $108,431), job availability (10 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Montclair vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $91,527 in Montclair and $90,374 in Vineland. The Montclair area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov