Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$54,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$48,214 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$42,479 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $70,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $53,900▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $89,600▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $112,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,214▲ | $43,210 | +$5,004 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,576 | $61,446▲ | -$13,870 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,479▲ | $37,930 | +$4,549 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($48,214 vs $43,210 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.