Dental Hygienist Pay

Brick vs Trenton: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Brick, NJ
$119,432
$57.42/hr
Trenton, NJ
$105,905
$50.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrick, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$119,432$105,905
Hourly Rate$57.42$50.92
Entry Level (P10)$89,626$102,988
25th Percentile$100,063$104,772
75th Percentile$132,430$107,343
Top Earner (P90)$153,183$115,917
Total Employed18330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brick ($119,432) and Trenton ($105,905) dental hygienist salaries.BrickTrentonMedian Salary$119,432$105,905Entry Level (P10)$89,626$102,988Top Earner (P90)$153,183$115,917US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Brick and Trenton is $13,527 (12.77%). Brick's median is +16.01% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brick spans $63,557,Trenton spans $12,929. Brick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brick
P10 (Entry)$89,626
P25$100,063
Median$119,432
P75$132,430
P90 (Top)$153,183
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$102,988
P25$104,772
Median$105,905
P75$107,343
P90 (Top)$115,917

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brick ($103,674 effective) pays 1.01% more than Trenton ($102,641 effective).

Brick
Nominal: $119,432
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $103,674
Trenton
Nominal: $105,905
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $102,641

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brick if…

  • Higher median salary ($119,432/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($153,183)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,674)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Brick grew 33.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Brick, NJ

+33.0%

$85,590 (2020) → $113,810 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+13.9%

$88,630 (2020) → $100,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Brick or Trenton?

Brick has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $119,432/year, compared to Trenton at $105,905/year — a difference of $13,527 (12.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brick and Trenton?

Brick dental hygienists earn $57.42/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $50.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brick to Trenton as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brick and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brick = $103,674, Trenton = $102,641), job availability (18 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Brick vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,626 in Brick and $102,988 in Trenton. The Trenton 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