Dental Assistant Pay

Bennington vs Burlington: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Bennington, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$49,171
$23.64/hr
Burlington, VT
$59,027
$28.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$49,171$59,027
Hourly Rate$23.64$28.38
Entry Level (P10)$40,127$48,290
25th Percentile$46,198$52,044
75th Percentile$57,878$63,049
Top Earner (P90)$59,948$70,548
Total Employed6270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($49,171) and Burlington ($59,027) dental assistant salaries.BenningtonBurlingtonMedian Salary$49,171$59,027Entry Level (P10)$40,127$48,290Top Earner (P90)$59,948$70,548US Median $49,579

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bennington.

The salary gap between Bennington and Burlington is $9,856 (20.04%). Burlington's median is +19.06% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $19,821,Burlington spans $22,258. Burlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$40,127
P25$46,198
Median$49,171
P75$57,878
P90 (Top)$59,948
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$48,290
P25$52,044
Median$59,027
P75$63,049
P90 (Top)$70,548

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($58,472 effective) pays 23.08% more than Bennington ($47,508 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $49,171
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $47,508
Burlington
Nominal: $59,027
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $58,472

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,027/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,548)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,472)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Bennington grew 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+4.5%

$45,622 (2024) → $47,674 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+21.4%

$47,130 (2019) → $57,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Bennington or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median dental assistant salary at $59,027/year, compared to Bennington at $49,171/year — a difference of $9,856 (20.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and Burlington?

Bennington dental assistants earn $23.64/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $28.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to Burlington as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $47,508, Burlington = $58,472), job availability (6 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Bennington vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,127 in Bennington and $48,290 in Burlington. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov