Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
The median dental hygienist earns $130,600 a year in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro, with the middle half between $122,180 and $145,600.[1]
25th percentile
$122,180
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$130,600
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$145,600
Upper end of the middle half
Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 5% higher than the California median and ranks 6th of 25 California metros. It is about 33% higher than the national median.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville pay range vs. California and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | California annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $106,880 | $102,090 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $122,180 | $109,730 | $83,570 |
| Median | $130,600 | $124,930 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $145,600 | $132,120 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $145,600 | $151,920 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $129,740 | $128,110 | $98,990 |
220
2.27
1.59
For dental pros in Santa Cruz-Watsonville
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Dental Hygienist salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
The median dental hygienist salary in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area is $130,600, with the middle half earning between $122,180 and $145,600 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $106,880 at the 10th percentile to $145,600 at the 90th.
Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville higher or lower than the rest of California?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville runs about 5% higher than the California state median for dental hygienists. It ranks 6th of 25 California metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Santa Cruz-Watsonville compare nationally?
Dental Hygienist pay in Santa Cruz-Watsonville is about 33% 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville area?
BLS estimates 220 dental hygienists were employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.59, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
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