Pay by state / New York
NY · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental pay in New York
New York's 13,660 dental hygienists earned a mean of $103,640 in May 2025, 5% above the US mean and number 12 of 50 states. Salaried general dentists averaged $202,040 (+6% against the US), and orthodontists $188,400. Dental assistants earned $49,820.
- 1Dental hygienists $103,640
- 2General dentists $202,040
- 3Orthodontists $188,400
- 4Dental assistants $49,820
| Occupation | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs | NY mean | US mean | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontists | 130 | 0.014 | $188,400 | $259,400 | -27% |
| General dentists | 7,340 | 0.758 | $202,040 | $191,350 | +6% |
| Dental hygienists | 13,660 | 1.41 | $103,640 | $98,990 | +5% |
| Dental assistants | 19,800 | 2.043 | $49,820 | $50,200 | -1% |
How New York ranks
- Orthodontists: number 18 of 19 published states for mean pay ($188,400, median $172,980), with 0.014 per 1,000 jobs.
- General dentists: number 14 of 47 published states for mean pay ($202,040, median $183,060), with 0.758 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental hygienists: number 12 of 50 published states for mean pay ($103,640, median $106,130), with 1.41 per 1,000 jobs.
- Dental assistants: number 24 of 50 published states for mean pay ($49,820, median $48,110), with 2.043 per 1,000 jobs.
New York and the Middle Atlantic division
Among the 3 Middle Atlantic jurisdictions with published figures, New York ranks 2 for dental hygienists' pay; half of its hygienists earn more than $106,130 and half less. The Census Bureau groups these states as a division, which makes a fairer comparison than the national figure when living costs differ by region.
| Middle Atlantic | Hygienists | Dentists | Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $104,410 | $198,290 | $52,940 |
| New York | $103,640 | $202,040 | $49,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $172,710 | $50,130 |
Staffing in New York
There are 1.9 salaried hygienists for every salaried general dentist in New York, more than the national ratio of about 1.8 — hygienists carry more of the routine work here. A practice here employing one hygienist and one assistant at the state's mean wages pays $153,460 a year in their salaries alone, before benefits. Owners of practices are not counted in these BLS figures, so dentist and orthodontist numbers understate how many work in New York.
What it means for your braces
Orthodontists in New York earn 27% less than the US mean. Wages are one input to what practices charge, alongside rent, equipment and competition, so they explain only part of why quotes differ. Your quote is what matters: put it, your insurance's orthodontic benefit and your FSA or HSA plans into the calculator.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state and national files). “–” = not published by BLS. Checked 2026-10-24. Methodology.