Dental Hygienist Pay

Bedford vs Concord: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Bedford, NH and Concord, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bedford, NH
$104,036
$50.01/hr
Concord, NH
$105,257
$50.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBedford, NHConcord, NH
Median Salary$104,036$105,257
Hourly Rate$50.01$50.60
Entry Level (P10)$80,350$84,502
25th Percentile$94,374$91,479
75th Percentile$113,840$116,830
Top Earner (P90)$128,653$134,039
Total Employed611
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bedford ($104,036) and Concord ($105,257) dental hygienist salaries.BedfordConcordMedian Salary$104,036$105,257Entry Level (P10)$80,350$84,502Top Earner (P90)$128,653$134,039US Median $102,946

Verdict

Concord, NH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bedford.

The salary gap between Bedford and Concord is $1,221 (1.17%). Concord's median is +2.24% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bedford spans $48,303,Concord spans $49,537. Concord has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Bedford
P10 (Entry)$80,350
P25$94,374
Median$104,036
P75$113,840
P90 (Top)$128,653
Concord
P10 (Entry)$84,502
P25$91,479
Median$105,257
P75$116,830
P90 (Top)$134,039

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($98,096 effective) pays 1.17% more than Bedford ($96,958 effective).

Bedford
Nominal: $104,036
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $96,958
Concord
Nominal: $105,257
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $98,096

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bedford if…

  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,257/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,039)
  • Larger job market (11 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,096)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Bedford grew 33.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 33.9% growth in Concord over the same period.

Bedford, NH

+33.9%

$74,059 (2020) → $99,139 (2025)

Concord, NH

+33.9%

$74,928 (2020) → $100,302 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Bedford or Concord?

Concord has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,257/year, compared to Bedford at $104,036/year — a difference of $1,221 (1.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bedford and Concord?

Bedford dental hygienists earn $50.01/hr while Concord hygienists earn $50.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bedford to Concord as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bedford and Concord. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bedford = $96,958, Concord = $98,096), job availability (6 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Bedford vs Concord?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $80,350 in Bedford and $84,502 in Concord. The Concord 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