Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in California
The median dental hygienist earns $124,930 a year in California ($60.06 an hour), with the middle half earning between $109,730 and $132,120.[1]
25th percentile
$109,730
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$124,930
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$132,120
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $124,930 per year or $60.06/hr at the median. California runs about 27% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in California
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental hygienists in California earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | California hourly | California annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49.08 | $102,090 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $52.76 | $109,730 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $60.06 | $124,930 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $63.52 | $132,120 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $73.04 | $151,920 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $61.59 | $128,110 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in California
24,500
1.34
0.94
How California compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $124,930 in California vs. $98,100 nationally, $26,830 (27%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $102,090 vs. $74,880, 36% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $151,920 vs. $126,050, 21% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 10.7% in California vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in California
All 25 California metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $146,760 | $130,200–$154,920 | 3,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $139,990 | $131,080–$155,770 | 1,620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $136,210 | $135,170–$136,710 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $135,990 | $122,690–$138,370 | 260 |
| Napa | $131,370 | $127,570–$135,230 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $130,600 | $122,180–$145,600 | 220 |
| Vallejo | $128,570 | $123,360–$138,250 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $126,530 | $123,330–$127,380 | 500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $125,670 | $117,570–$147,220 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $125,130 | $112,020–$132,120 | 480 |
| Yuba City | $124,780 | $118,430–$128,960 | 60 |
| Modesto | $123,910 | $107,630–$128,140 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $123,790 | $121,380–$126,820 | 1,940 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $122,980 | $107,570–$130,570 | 7,940 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $122,540 | $122,250–$126,660 | 2,200 |
| Salinas | $122,370 | $108,080–$127,450 | 240 |
| Chico | $118,800 | $104,880–$127,140 | 150 |
| Redding | $118,130 | $105,970–$123,700 | 130 |
| Merced | $117,400 | $105,930–$126,690 | 100 |
| El Centro | $115,870 | $104,410–$126,480 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $114,380 | $101,540–$115,430 | 340 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $113,160 | $103,570–$122,710 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $105,730 | $103,650–$120,610 | 1,860 |
| Fresno | $101,730 | $98,320–$103,380 | 530 |
| Visalia | $98,240 | $97,740–$118,310 | 200 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in California
California's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 10.7% over 2024–2034, from 24,400 to 27,000 jobs, with about 1,790 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
Licensing for dental hygienists in California
Licensing board: Dental Hygiene Board of California[5] (licenses dental hygienists (RDH and RDHAP))
What drives dental hygienist pay in California
Pay for a dental hygienist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in California, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in California: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in California?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in California was $124,930 ($60.06 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $109,730 and $132,120. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $102,090 and the top 10% earned over $151,920.
Do dental hygienists in California earn more than the national median?
Yes. The California median of $124,930 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $26,830 (27%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which California metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 25 California metro areas with published BLS data, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has the highest median at $146,760 a year. Visalia has the lowest, at $98,240.
How many dental hygienists work in California?
BLS estimates 24,500 dental hygienists were employed in California in May 2025. That is 1.34 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.94, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in California?
California's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 10.7% over 2024–2034, from 24,400 to 27,000 jobs. That works out to about 1,790 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Who licenses dental hygienists in California?
The Dental Hygiene Board of California. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in California?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in California
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, California long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists
- 5.Dental Hygiene Board of California
- 6.Dental Hygiene Board of California, licensure requirements