Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$68,000 vs $76,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$44,737 vs $40,642
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$38,650 vs $34,981
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $76,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $58,520▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $97,280▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $121,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,737▲ | $40,642 | +$4,095 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,748 | $65,414▲ | -$6,666 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,650▲ | $34,981 | +$3,669 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 170,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $8,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $76,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($44,737 vs $40,642 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.