Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in New York
The median dental hygienist earns $106,130 a year in New York ($51.03 an hour), with the middle half earning between $89,960 and $121,740.[1]
25th percentile
$89,960
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$106,130
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$121,740
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $106,130 per year or $51.03/hr at the median. New York runs about 8% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in New York
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental hygienists in New York earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | New York hourly | New York annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37.35 | $77,680 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $43.25 | $89,960 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $51.03 | $106,130 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $58.53 | $121,740 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $60.89 | $126,640 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $49.83 | $103,640 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in New York
13,660
1.41
0.98
How New York compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $106,130 in New York vs. $98,100 nationally, $8,030 (8%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $77,680 vs. $74,880, 4% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $126,640 vs. $126,050, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.6% in New York vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in New York
All 13 New York metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $109,720 | $105,990–$121,700 | 14,230 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $100,600 | $92,160–$104,720 | 450 |
| Kingston | $98,880 | $84,650–$105,590 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $98,030 | $82,240–$102,210 | 730 |
| Ithaca | $96,620 | $81,550–$101,810 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome | $95,480 | $81,550–$99,760 | 160 |
| Rochester | $93,650 | $81,420–$94,490 | 940 |
| Syracuse | $93,640 | $82,360–$98,270 | 580 |
| Glens Falls | $85,220 | $82,360–$98,490 | 90 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $82,470 | $77,610–$96,880 | 760 |
| Binghamton | $81,640 | $67,960–$97,670 | 190 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $81,170 | $80,080–$99,570 | 70 |
| Elmira | $73,210 | $70,970–$77,500 | 40 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in New York
New York's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,500 to 12,610 jobs, with about 830 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
Licensing for dental hygienists in New York
Licensing board: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Dentistry)[5] (licenses dentists, dental hygienists and registered dental assistants)
Path to a license: Complete a New York-registered or ADA-accredited dental hygiene program plus required child abuse and infection control training, then pass the NBDHE and a clinical exam.[6]
What drives dental hygienist pay in New York
Pay for a dental hygienist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in New York, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in New York: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in New York?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in New York was $106,130 ($51.03 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $89,960 and $121,740. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $77,680 and the top 10% earned over $126,640.
Do dental hygienists in New York earn more than the national median?
Yes. The New York median of $106,130 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $8,030 (8%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which New York metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 13 New York metro areas with published BLS data, New York-Newark-Jersey City has the highest median at $109,720 a year. Elmira has the lowest, at $73,210.
How many dental hygienists work in New York?
BLS estimates 13,660 dental hygienists were employed in New York in May 2025. That is 1.41 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.98, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in New York?
New York's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,500 to 12,610 jobs. That works out to about 830 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Who licenses dental hygienists in New York?
The New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Dentistry). In short: complete a New York-registered or ADA-accredited dental hygiene program plus required child abuse and infection control training, then pass the NBDHE and a clinical exam. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in New York?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in New York
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, New York long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists
- 5.New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Dentistry)
- 6.New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions (State Board for Dentistry), licensure requirements