Dental Hygienist salary in California
Dental Hygienists in California earn a median of $124,930 a year ($60.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,920 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $98,100. California ranks 4th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.3 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $128,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| 25th percentile | $109,730 | $52.76 |
| Median | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| 75th percentile | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Average (mean) | $128,110 | $61.59 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,410.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,205.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,805 |
| Weekly | $2,402.50 |
| Hourly | $60.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $146,760 | 3,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,990 | 1,620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $136,210 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $135,990 | 260 |
| Napa, CA | $131,370 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $130,600 | 220 |
| Vallejo, CA | $128,570 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $126,530 | 500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,670 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $125,130 | 480 |
| Yuba City, CA | $124,780 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $123,910 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,790 | 1,940 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,980 | 7,940 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,540 | 2,200 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,370 | 240 |
| Chico, CA | $118,800 | 150 |
| Redding, CA | $118,130 | 130 |
| Merced, CA | $117,400 | 100 |
| El Centro, CA | $115,870 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $114,380 | 340 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $113,160 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,730 | 1,860 |
| Fresno, CA | $101,730 | 530 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,240 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in California?
The median salary for dental hygienists in California is $124,930 a year, or $60.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in California?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in California earn at least $151,920 a year. The top 25% earn $132,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,090 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $109,730 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in California?
About 24,500 dental hygienists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.