Dental Hygienist Pay

Charlotte vs Concord: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Charlotte, NC
$103,250
$49.64/hr
Concord, NC
$104,940
$50.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCConcord, NC
Median Salary$103,250$104,940
Hourly Rate$49.64$50.46
Entry Level (P10)$96,671$77,483
25th Percentile$101,456$86,945
75th Percentile$106,483$117,407
Top Earner (P90)$108,886$137,099
Total Employed1,91024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($103,250) and Concord ($104,940) dental hygienist salaries.CharlotteConcordMedian Salary$103,250$104,940Entry Level (P10)$96,671$77,483Top Earner (P90)$108,886$137,099US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Concord is $1,690 (1.64%). 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 Charlotte spans $12,215,Concord spans $59,616. Concord has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$96,671
P25$101,456
Median$103,250
P75$106,483
P90 (Top)$108,886
Concord
P10 (Entry)$77,483
P25$86,945
Median$104,940
P75$117,407
P90 (Top)$137,099

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($112,115 effective) pays 5.71% more than Charlotte ($106,063 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $103,250
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $106,063
Concord
Nominal: $104,940
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $112,115

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Larger job market (1,910 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Charlotte grew 32.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Concord over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+32.8%

$74,090 (2020) → $98,390 (2025)

Concord, NC

+35.8%

$73,637 (2020) → $100,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Charlotte or Concord?

Concord has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $104,940/year, compared to Charlotte at $103,250/year — a difference of $1,690 (1.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Concord?

Charlotte dental hygienists earn $49.64/hr while Concord hygienists earn $50.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Concord. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $106,063, Concord = $112,115), job availability (1,910 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $96,671 in Charlotte and $77,483 in Concord. The Charlotte 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