Dental Hygienist Pay

Newburgh vs Rochester: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Newburgh, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newburgh, NY
$103,277
$49.65/hr
Rochester, NY
$98,276
$47.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewburgh, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$103,277$98,276
Hourly Rate$49.65$47.24
Entry Level (P10)$82,216$84,256
25th Percentile$89,244$85,442
75th Percentile$112,063$99,158
Top Earner (P90)$126,790$99,861
Total Employed6940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newburgh ($103,277) and Rochester ($98,276) dental hygienist salaries.NewburghRochesterMedian Salary$103,277$98,276Entry Level (P10)$82,216$84,256Top Earner (P90)$126,790$99,861US Median $102,946

Verdict

Newburgh, NY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Newburgh and Rochester is $5,001 (5.09%). Newburgh's median is +0.32% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newburgh spans $44,574,Rochester spans $15,605. Newburgh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Newburgh
P10 (Entry)$82,216
P25$89,244
Median$103,277
P75$112,063
P90 (Top)$126,790
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$84,256
P25$85,442
Median$98,276
P75$99,158
P90 (Top)$99,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($101,279 effective) pays 13.66% more than Newburgh ($89,109 effective).

Newburgh
Nominal: $103,277
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $89,109
Rochester
Nominal: $98,276
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $101,279

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,277/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,790)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,279)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Newburgh grew 23.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 48.7% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Newburgh, NY

+23.9%

$79,453 (2020) → $98,415 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+48.7%

$62,970 (2020) → $93,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Newburgh or Rochester?

Newburgh has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,277/year, compared to Rochester at $98,276/year — a difference of $5,001 (5.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newburgh and Rochester?

Newburgh dental hygienists earn $49.65/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $47.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newburgh to Rochester as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newburgh and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newburgh = $89,109, Rochester = $101,279), job availability (6 vs 940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Newburgh vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,216 in Newburgh and $84,256 in Rochester. The Rochester 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