Dental Hygienist Pay

New York vs Syracuse: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between New York, NY and Syracuse, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$115,140
$55.36/hr
Syracuse, NY
$98,266
$47.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYSyracuse, NY
Median Salary$115,140$98,266
Hourly Rate$55.36$47.24
Entry Level (P10)$89,682$83,595
25th Percentile$111,226$86,429
75th Percentile$127,712$103,125
Top Earner (P90)$132,896$107,836
Total Employed14,230580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($115,140) and Syracuse ($98,266) dental hygienist salaries.New YorkSyracuseMedian Salary$115,140$98,266Entry Level (P10)$89,682$83,595Top Earner (P90)$132,896$107,836US Median $102,946

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Syracuse.

The salary gap between New York and Syracuse is $16,874 (17.17%). New York's median is +11.85% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $43,214,Syracuse spans $24,241. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$89,682
P25$111,226
Median$115,140
P75$127,712
P90 (Top)$132,896
Syracuse
P10 (Entry)$83,595
P25$86,429
Median$98,266
P75$103,125
P90 (Top)$107,836

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Syracuse ($102,636 effective) pays 0.34% more than New York ($102,289 effective).

New York
Nominal: $115,140
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $102,289
Syracuse
Nominal: $98,266
CoL Index: 95.742
Adjusted: $102,636

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,140/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,896)
  • Larger job market (14,230 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Syracuse if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,636)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in New York grew 22.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 26.6% growth in Syracuse over the same period.

New York, NY

+22.1%

$89,830 (2020) → $109,720 (2025)

Syracuse, NY

+26.6%

$73,970 (2020) → $93,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: New York or Syracuse?

New York has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $115,140/year, compared to Syracuse at $98,266/year — a difference of $16,874 (17.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Syracuse?

New York dental hygienists earn $55.36/hr while Syracuse hygienists earn $47.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Syracuse as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Syracuse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $102,289, Syracuse = $102,636), job availability (14,230 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in New York vs Syracuse?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,682 in New York and $83,595 in Syracuse. The New York 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