Dental Hygienist salary in Rochester, NY
Dental Hygienists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $93,650 a year ($45.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,160 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $106,130. There are 1.9 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,770, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,290 | $38.60 |
| 25th percentile | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Median | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| 75th percentile | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,160 | $45.75 |
| Average (mean) | $88,770 | $42.68 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,804.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,902.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,601.92 |
| Weekly | $1,800.96 |
| Hourly | $45.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,720 | 14,230 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $100,600 | 450 |
| Kingston, NY | $98,880 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $98,030 | 730 |
| Ithaca, NY | $96,620 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $95,480 | 160 |
| Syracuse, NY | $93,640 | 580 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $85,220 | 90 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $82,470 | 760 |
| Binghamton, NY | $81,640 | 190 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $81,170 | 70 |
| Elmira, NY | $73,210 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Rochester, NY?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $93,650 a year, or $45.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $95,160 a year. The top 25% earn $94,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,290 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $81,420 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Rochester, NY?
About 940 dental hygienists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.