Dental Hygienist Salary in Syracuse, NY: $98,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Syracuse, NY earns a median $98,266/year (≈ $47.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $102,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Syracuse, NY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $98,266, slightly below the national median of $102,946. This local figure highlights a competitive market for dental hygienist pay in Syracuse, where salaries can range from $83,595 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $107,836 for the highest earners (90th percentile). The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the local market dynamics, providing insight into the compensation landscape for dental hygienists in the region. With a growing demand for dental services and an estimated annual growth rate of 4.94%, Syracuse presents a promising environment for aspiring dental professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,595 | $40.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,429 | $41.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,266 | $47.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,125 | $49.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,836 | $51.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,241 (2026 est.). At $98,266, the local median is 4.55% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be above the median
How Syracuse Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $98,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.55% less |
Dental Hygienists in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $98,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.55% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $98,266 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,636 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,970
2025 BLS Actual
$93,640
2026 Current Est.
$98,266
2020–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Syracuse (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,120 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 26.6% from $73,970 (2020) to $93,640 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,150 (39.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,595 – $86,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,429 – $98,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,266 – $103,125 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,125 – $107,836 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Syracuse
The job market for dental hygienists in Syracuse consists of approximately 580 employed professionals, forming a robust sector within the local economy. The cost of living index in the area sits at 95.742, suggesting that dental hygienists retain a favorable take-home purchasing power despite the salaries being slightly lower than the national average. Notably, compensation can vary significantly depending on the type of employer; Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the most competitive packages, potentially including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits, which solo dental practices may lack. Factors influencing the salary range also include productivity bonuses linked to patient retention and schedule flexibility, with more lucrative options available for those in a full-time position. For professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Syracuse, pursuing opportunities within DSOs or negotiating flexible scheduling may yield better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,640 for dental hygienistsin the Syracuse metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov