verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Hygienist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$124,930/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$60.06/hr
▲ 27% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
24,500
public U.S. Median
$98,100
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$112,834 #6 of 50

Dental Hygienist pay in California, explained

Dental hygienists in California earn a median of $124,930 per year ($60.06 per hour), which is 27% above the national median of $98,100. Entry-level workers earn around $102,090, while the most experienced dental hygienists reach about $151,920. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $124,930 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $124,930 is worth about $112,834 in national buying power — ranking California #6 for real pay (vs #4 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Hygienist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Hygienist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$102,090
$49.08/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$124,930
$60.06/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$151,920
$73.04/hr

Dental Hygienist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $124,930 $112,834
Oregon $122,080 $118,110 +$2,850
Nevada $115,290 $115,314 +$9,640
Arizona $101,010 $100,331 +$23,920

Dental Hygienist in California: FAQ

How much do dental hygienists make in California?

Dental hygienists in California earn a median of $124,930 per year ($60.06 per hour), compared with $98,100 nationally.

Does California pay dental hygienists well?

At $124,930, California pays 27% above the national median for dental hygienists. An estimated 24,500 work in the state.

Dental Hygienist salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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