Dental Hygienist Pay

Bridgeport vs Torrington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Torrington, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$108,497
$52.17/hr
Torrington, CT
$100,993
$48.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTTorrington, CT
Median Salary$108,497$100,993
Hourly Rate$52.17$48.56
Entry Level (P10)$65,483$76,134
25th Percentile$107,647$90,274
75th Percentile$109,568$112,498
Top Earner (P90)$112,076$128,767
Total Employed8509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($108,497) and Torrington ($100,993) dental hygienist salaries.BridgeportTorringtonMedian Salary$108,497$100,993Entry Level (P10)$65,483$76,134Top Earner (P90)$112,076$128,767US Median $102,946

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrington.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Torrington is $7,504 (7.43%). Bridgeport's median is +5.39% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $46,593,Torrington spans $52,633. Torrington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$65,483
P25$107,647
Median$108,497
P75$109,568
P90 (Top)$112,076
Torrington
P10 (Entry)$76,134
P25$90,274
Median$100,993
P75$112,498
P90 (Top)$128,767

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($101,528 effective) pays 8.47% more than Torrington ($93,599 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $108,497
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $101,528
Torrington
Nominal: $100,993
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $93,599

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,497/year)
  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,528)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Torrington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($128,767)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Bridgeport grew 9.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.9% growth in Torrington over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+9.6%

$94,350 (2020) → $103,390 (2025)

Torrington, CT

+14.9%

$83,742 (2020) → $96,239 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Bridgeport or Torrington?

Bridgeport has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $108,497/year, compared to Torrington at $100,993/year — a difference of $7,504 (7.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Torrington?

Bridgeport dental hygienists earn $52.17/hr while Torrington hygienists earn $48.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Torrington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Torrington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $101,528, Torrington = $93,599), job availability (850 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Bridgeport vs Torrington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $65,483 in Bridgeport and $76,134 in Torrington. The Torrington 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