Dental Hygienist Pay

Statesville vs Winston: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Statesville, NC
$99,801
$47.98/hr
Winston, NC
$100,669
$48.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricStatesville, NCWinston, NC
Median Salary$99,801$100,669
Hourly Rate$47.98$48.40
Entry Level (P10)$78,475$86,145
25th Percentile$85,521$97,930
75th Percentile$109,594$103,460
Top Earner (P90)$125,156$105,507
Total Employed7500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Statesville ($99,801) and Winston ($100,669) dental hygienist salaries.StatesvilleWinstonMedian Salary$99,801$100,669Entry Level (P10)$78,475$86,145Top Earner (P90)$125,156$105,507US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Statesville and Winston is $868 (0.87%). Winston's median is -2.21% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Statesville spans $46,681,Winston spans $19,362. Statesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Statesville
P10 (Entry)$78,475
P25$85,521
Median$99,801
P75$109,594
P90 (Top)$125,156
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, Winston ($109,372 effective) pays 2.58% more than Statesville ($106,625 effective).

Statesville
Nominal: $99,801
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $106,625
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 Statesville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,156)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Winston if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,669/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,372)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Statesville grew 33.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 40.0% growth in Winston over the same period.

Statesville, NC

+33.7%

$71,138 (2020) → $95,103 (2025)

Winston, NC

+40.0%

$68,510 (2020) → $95,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Statesville or Winston?

Winston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $100,669/year, compared to Statesville at $99,801/year — a difference of $868 (0.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Statesville and Winston?

Statesville dental hygienists earn $47.98/hr while Winston hygienists earn $48.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Statesville and Winston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Statesville = $106,625, Winston = $109,372), job availability (7 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,475 in Statesville 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