Dental Hygienist Pay

Concord vs Winston: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Concord, NC
$104,940
$50.46/hr
Winston, NC
$100,669
$48.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$104,940$100,669
Hourly Rate$50.46$48.40
Entry Level (P10)$77,483$86,145
25th Percentile$86,945$97,930
75th Percentile$117,407$103,460
Top Earner (P90)$137,099$105,507
Total Employed24500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($104,940) and Winston ($100,669) dental hygienist salaries.ConcordWinstonMedian Salary$104,940$100,669Entry Level (P10)$77,483$86,145Top Earner (P90)$137,099$105,507US Median $102,946

Verdict

Concord, NC offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Winston.

The salary gap between Concord and Winston is $4,271 (4.24%). Concord's median is +1.94% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $59,616,Winston spans $19,362. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$77,483
P25$86,945
Median$104,940
P75$117,407
P90 (Top)$137,099
Winston
P10 (Entry)$86,145
P25$97,930
Median$100,669
P75$103,460
P90 (Top)$105,507

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($112,115 effective) pays 2.51% more than Winston ($109,372 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $104,940
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $112,115
Winston
Nominal: $100,669
CoL Index: 92.043
Adjusted: $109,372

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,940/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,099)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,115)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Concord grew 35.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 40.0% growth in Winston over the same period.

Concord, NC

+35.8%

$73,637 (2020) → $100,000 (2025)

Winston, NC

+40.0%

$68,510 (2020) → $95,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Concord or Winston?

Concord has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $104,940/year, compared to Winston at $100,669/year — a difference of $4,271 (4.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Winston?

Concord dental hygienists earn $50.46/hr while Winston hygienists earn $48.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $112,115, Winston = $109,372), job availability (24 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $77,483 in Concord and $86,145 in Winston. The Winston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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