Dental Hygienist Pay

Vineland vs Wayne: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Vineland, NJ
$104,059
$50.02/hr
Wayne, NJ
$116,126
$55.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricVineland, NJWayne, NJ
Median Salary$104,059$116,126
Hourly Rate$50.02$55.83
Entry Level (P10)$90,374$91,679
25th Percentile$100,081$97,795
75th Percentile$105,024$129,266
Top Earner (P90)$105,801$149,778
Total Employed9010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Vineland ($104,059) and Wayne ($116,126) dental hygienist salaries.VinelandWayneMedian Salary$104,059$116,126Entry Level (P10)$90,374$91,679Top Earner (P90)$105,801$149,778US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Vineland and Wayne is $12,067 (11.60%). Wayne's median is +12.80% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Vineland spans $15,427,Wayne spans $58,099. Wayne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Vineland
P10 (Entry)$90,374
P25$100,081
Median$104,059
P75$105,024
P90 (Top)$105,801
Wayne
P10 (Entry)$91,679
P25$97,795
Median$116,126
P75$129,266
P90 (Top)$149,778

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($108,431 effective) pays 7.57% more than Wayne ($100,804 effective).

Vineland
Nominal: $104,059
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $108,431
Wayne
Nominal: $116,126
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $100,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Vineland if…

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

Choose Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,126/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,778)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Vineland, NJ

+22.3%

$81,050 (2020) → $99,160 (2025)

Wayne, NJ

+33.0%

$83,220 (2020) → $110,659 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Vineland or Wayne?

Wayne has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $116,126/year, compared to Vineland at $104,059/year — a difference of $12,067 (11.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Vineland and Wayne?

Vineland dental hygienists earn $50.02/hr while Wayne hygienists earn $55.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Vineland and Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Vineland = $108,431, Wayne = $100,804), job availability (90 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $90,374 in Vineland and $91,679 in Wayne. The Wayne 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