Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Hygienist Salary in Merced

The median dental hygienist earns $117,400 a year in the Merced metro, with the middle half between $105,930 and $126,690.[1]

25th percentile

$105,930

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$117,400

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$126,690

Upper end of the middle half

Merced runs about 6% lower than the California median and ranks 19th of 25 California metros. It is about 20% higher than the national median.

Merced pay range vs. California and the U.S.

Dental Hygienist annual wages: Merced vs. California vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualCalifornia annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$102,760$102,090$74,880
25th percentile$105,930$109,730$83,570
Median$117,400$124,930$98,100
75th percentile$126,690$132,120$108,480
90th percentile$130,100$151,920$126,050
Mean (average)$117,540$128,110$98,990

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

100

About 0% of California's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

1.27

California: 1.34

Location quotient

0.89

1.00 = U.S. average; less concentrated than the national average

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Dental Hygienist salary in Merced: FAQ

How much do dental hygienists make in Merced?

The median dental hygienist salary in the Merced metro area is $117,400, with the middle half earning between $105,930 and $126,690 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $102,760 at the 10th percentile to $130,100 at the 90th.

Is Merced higher or lower than the rest of California?

Merced runs about 6% lower than the California state median for dental hygienists. It ranks 19th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Merced compare nationally?

Dental Hygienist pay in Merced is about 20% higher than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental hygienists work in the Merced area?

BLS estimates 100 dental hygienists were employed in the Merced metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 0.89, so the role is less concentrated than the national average.