Dental Hygienist Pay

New York vs Plattsburgh: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$115,140
$55.36/hr
Plattsburgh, NY
$90,765
$43.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYPlattsburgh, NY
Median Salary$115,140$90,765
Hourly Rate$55.36$43.63
Entry Level (P10)$89,682$75,217
25th Percentile$111,226$80,151
75th Percentile$127,712$99,190
Top Earner (P90)$132,896$108,925
Total Employed14,2304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($115,140) and Plattsburgh ($90,765) dental hygienist salaries.New YorkPlattsburghMedian Salary$115,140$90,765Entry Level (P10)$89,682$75,217Top Earner (P90)$132,896$108,925US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Plattsburgh is $24,375 (26.86%). 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,Plattsburgh spans $33,708. 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
Plattsburgh
P10 (Entry)$75,217
P25$80,151
Median$90,765
P75$99,190
P90 (Top)$108,925

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($102,289 effective) pays 30.62% more than Plattsburgh ($78,313 effective).

New York
Nominal: $115,140
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $102,289
Plattsburgh
Nominal: $90,765
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $78,313

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,289)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Plattsburgh if…

  • 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 11.8% growth in Plattsburgh over the same period.

New York, NY

+22.1%

$89,830 (2020) → $109,720 (2025)

Plattsburgh, NY

+11.8%

$77,329 (2020) → $86,492 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $115,140/year, compared to Plattsburgh at $90,765/year — a difference of $24,375 (26.86%).

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

New York dental hygienists earn $55.36/hr while Plattsburgh hygienists earn $43.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Plattsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $102,289, Plattsburgh = $78,313), job availability (14,230 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,682 in New York and $75,217 in Plattsburgh. 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