Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$76,000 vs $61,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$40,642 vs $47,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$34,981 vs $42,097
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $76,000▲ | $61,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,520▲ | $46,970 | +$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,280▲ | $78,080 | +$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,600▲ | $97,600 | +$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,642 | $47,656▲ | -$7,014 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,414▲ | $53,884 | +$11,530 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $34,981 | $42,097▲ | -$7,116 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 70,000 | +100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $15,000 more (median: $76,000 vs $61,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($40,642 vs $47,656 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.