Dental Hygienist Pay

Warwick vs Woonsocket: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Warwick, RI and Woonsocket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Warwick, RI
$95,622
$45.97/hr
Woonsocket, RI
$100,007
$48.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWarwick, RIWoonsocket, RI
Median Salary$95,622$100,007
Hourly Rate$45.97$48.08
Entry Level (P10)$72,224$82,622
25th Percentile$80,464$88,642
75th Percentile$106,379$106,766
Top Earner (P90)$123,226$126,562
Total Employed169
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Warwick ($95,622) and Woonsocket ($100,007) dental hygienist salaries.WarwickWoonsocketMedian Salary$95,622$100,007Entry Level (P10)$72,224$82,622Top Earner (P90)$123,226$126,562US Median $102,946

Verdict

Woonsocket, RI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Warwick.

The salary gap between Warwick and Woonsocket is $4,385 (4.59%). Woonsocket's median is -2.85% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Warwick spans $51,002,Woonsocket spans $43,940. Warwick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Warwick
P10 (Entry)$72,224
P25$80,464
Median$95,622
P75$106,379
P90 (Top)$123,226
Woonsocket
P10 (Entry)$82,622
P25$88,642
Median$100,007
P75$106,766
P90 (Top)$126,562

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Woonsocket ($99,509 effective) pays 4.59% more than Warwick ($95,146 effective).

Warwick
Nominal: $95,622
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $95,146
Woonsocket
Nominal: $100,007
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $99,509

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Warwick if…

  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Woonsocket if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,007/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,562)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,509)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Warwick grew 18.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in Woonsocket over the same period.

Warwick, RI

+18.3%

$77,008 (2020) → $91,121 (2025)

Woonsocket, RI

+29.3%

$73,695 (2020) → $95,299 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Warwick or Woonsocket?

Woonsocket has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $100,007/year, compared to Warwick at $95,622/year — a difference of $4,385 (4.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Warwick and Woonsocket?

Warwick dental hygienists earn $45.97/hr while Woonsocket hygienists earn $48.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Warwick to Woonsocket as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Warwick and Woonsocket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Warwick = $95,146, Woonsocket = $99,509), job availability (16 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Warwick vs Woonsocket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $72,224 in Warwick and $82,622 in Woonsocket. The Woonsocket 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