Dental Hygienist Salary in Burlington, IA: $83,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Burlington, IA earns a median $83,845/year (≈ $40.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $92,749 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With only four dental hygienists currently employed in Burlington, Iowa, the market may appear limited, but this can also signify emerging opportunities in the field. The projected median annual dental hygienist salary in Burlington is $83,845, reflecting a competitive local pay scale compared to the national median of $102,946. Local salaries range from $67,541 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $101,755 at the higher end (90th percentile), indicating a range of earnings that provides room for growth and advancement. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, making them significant for anyone considering a career in dental hygiene in this Iowa city. With the projected growth rate of 4.94%, it appears that opportunities are poised to increase, underscoring the value of this profession in Burlington.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,541 | $32.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,894 | $35.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,845 | $40.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,552 | $43.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,755 | $48.92 |
Median Salary Position
18.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,214 (2026 est.). At $83,845, the local median is 18.55% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $83,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $87,339 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.55% less |
Dental Hygienists in Burlington, IA earn a median of $83,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $87,339.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,749 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,723
2025 BLS Actual
$79,898
2026 Current Est.
$83,845
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
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 | $70,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,446 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,898 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,987 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.0% from $70,723 (2020) to $79,898 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,264 (24.41%) 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) | $67,541 – $72,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,894 – $83,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,845 – $90,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,552 – $101,755 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Burlington
The cost of living in Burlington, with an index of 90.4, suggests that the purchasing power of dental hygienists may be stronger than in other regions with a higher cost bracket. Despite the employment of only four dental hygienists in the area, those entering this field can look toward various employer types for potentially higher wages. For instance, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental typically offer competitive pay structures, including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits, compared to solo practices, which might not provide health insurance. The disparity in salaries often stems from production-based incentives related to periodontal care and the difference in full-time hours worked, with opportunities to maximize earnings through specialized roles or additional certifications. For aspiring or current dental hygienists in Burlington, negotiating for benefits and understanding the compensation trends with local employers can greatly enhance their overall earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $79,898 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
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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