Dental Hygienist Pay

New Haven vs New London: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

New Haven, CT
$103,020
$49.53/hr
New London, CT
$102,770
$49.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTNew London, CT
Median Salary$103,020$102,770
Hourly Rate$49.53$49.41
Entry Level (P10)$92,526$83,861
25th Percentile$94,908$90,640
75th Percentile$106,021$113,136
Top Earner (P90)$107,721$129,341
Total Employed4705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($103,020) and New London ($102,770) dental hygienist salaries.New HavenNew LondonMedian Salary$103,020$102,770Entry Level (P10)$92,526$83,861Top Earner (P90)$107,721$129,341US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Haven and New London is $250 (0.24%). 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,New London spans $45,480. New London 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
New London
P10 (Entry)$83,861
P25$90,640
Median$102,770
P75$113,136
P90 (Top)$129,341

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($98,528 effective) pays 3.45% more than New London ($95,246 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $103,020
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $98,528
New London
Nominal: $102,770
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $95,246

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 New London if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,341)
  • 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 18.1% growth in New London over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+19.6%

$82,090 (2020) → $98,170 (2025)

New London, CT

+18.1%

$82,927 (2020) → $97,932 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Haven has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,020/year, compared to New London at $102,770/year — a difference of $250 (0.24%).

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

New Haven dental hygienists earn $49.53/hr while New London hygienists earn $49.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and New London. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $98,528, New London = $95,246), job availability (470 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $92,526 in New Haven and $83,861 in New London. 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