Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$56,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$54,369 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$47,977 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $56,000 | $70,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,120 | $53,900▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,680 | $89,600▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $89,600 | $112,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,369▲ | $43,210 | +$11,159 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,416 | $61,446▲ | -$12,030 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,977▲ | $37,930 | +$10,047 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $56,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($54,369 vs $43,210 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.