Dental Hygienist Pay

New Haven vs Torrington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between New Haven, CT and Torrington, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$103,020
$49.53/hr
Torrington, CT
$100,993
$48.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTTorrington, CT
Median Salary$103,020$100,993
Hourly Rate$49.53$48.56
Entry Level (P10)$92,526$76,134
25th Percentile$94,908$90,274
75th Percentile$106,021$112,498
Top Earner (P90)$107,721$128,767
Total Employed4709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($103,020) and Torrington ($100,993) dental hygienist salaries.New HavenTorringtonMedian Salary$103,020$100,993Entry Level (P10)$92,526$76,134Top Earner (P90)$107,721$128,767US Median $102,946

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrington.

The salary gap between New Haven and Torrington is $2,027 (2.01%). New Haven's median is +0.07% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $15,195,Torrington spans $52,633. Torrington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$92,526
P25$94,908
Median$103,020
P75$106,021
P90 (Top)$107,721
Torrington
P10 (Entry)$76,134
P25$90,274
Median$100,993
P75$112,498
P90 (Top)$128,767

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($98,528 effective) pays 5.27% more than Torrington ($93,599 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $103,020
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $98,528
Torrington
Nominal: $100,993
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $93,599

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,020/year)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,528)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Torrington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($128,767)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in New Haven grew 19.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.9% growth in Torrington over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+19.6%

$82,090 (2020) → $98,170 (2025)

Torrington, CT

+14.9%

$83,742 (2020) → $96,239 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: New Haven or Torrington?

New Haven has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,020/year, compared to Torrington at $100,993/year — a difference of $2,027 (2.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Torrington?

New Haven dental hygienists earn $49.53/hr while Torrington hygienists earn $48.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Torrington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Torrington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $98,528, Torrington = $93,599), job availability (470 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in New Haven vs Torrington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $92,526 in New Haven and $76,134 in Torrington. The New Haven 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