Dental Hygienist Salary in Utica, NY: $100,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Utica, NY earns a median $100,197/year (≈ $48.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $108,113 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Utica, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $100,197, slightly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this occupation in the city stretches from $83,154 at the 10th percentile to $107,794 at the 90th percentile, according to projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. Adjusting for the cost of living in Utica, which has a lower index of 92.678, these salaries highlight the purchasing power that local dental hygienists can expect when compared to their counterparts in higher-cost areas. As the market for dental hygienists in Utica develops, understanding these earnings will be pivotal for current students and professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,154 | $39.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,579 | $41.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,197 | $48.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,688 | $50.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,794 | $51.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,640 (2026 est.). At $100,197, the local median is 2.67% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be above the median
How Utica Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Utica median: $100,197/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $98,232 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -2.67% less |
Dental Hygienists in Utica, NY earn a median of $100,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.67% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.00% above the New York state average of $98,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $100,197 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,113 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,170
2025 BLS Actual
$95,480
2026 Current Est.
$100,197
2020–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Utica (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,146 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 38.0% from $69,170 (2020) to $95,480 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,976 (52.01%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $83,154 – $85,579 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,579 – $100,197 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,197 – $104,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,688 – $107,794 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Utica
With around 160 dental hygienists currently employed in Utica, the job market for this profession shows a robust presence. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries are competitive, they still yield a different purchasing power relative to other locales. Dental hygienists looking for the best pay may find opportunities with larger employers, such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often provide attractive sign-on bonuses and full benefits, unlike many private practices that might not offer health insurance. The variations in pay can also be tied to individual performance metrics and work schedule flexibility, influencing earnings through production-based bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their income in this market, considering positions in higher-paying practices and negotiating for better compensation packages can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Utica, NY in 2026?
Is Utica, NY a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Utica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Utica?
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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 $95,480 for dental hygienistsin the Utica 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