Dental Hygienists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$102,090
- 25th Percentile — Junior$109,730
- 50th Percentile — Median$124,930
- 75th Percentile — Senior$132,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$151,920
Half of Dental Hygienists in California earn more than $124,930. The top 10% make $151,920 or more, while entry-level workers start around $102,090.
Dental Hygienists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 50 states for Dental Hygienists pay, at $128,110 per year (29.4% above the U.S. average of $98,990).
- 24,500 people work as Dental Hygienists in California — 11.0% of all U.S. Dental Hygienists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.94: Dental Hygienists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $102,090; the top 10% earn over $151,920.
- Hourly equivalent: $61.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $131,530.
- Among healthcare jobs in California, Psychiatrists pays the most ($315,380).
Dental Hygienists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Dental Hygienists here earn $128,110 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $128,110 is roughly equivalent to $90,218 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($131,530), District of Columbia ($127,910), Alaska ($122,560) are the closest alternatives for Dental Hygienists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Healthcare Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Psychiatrists $315,380/yr California +146.2% vs this role
- Radiologists $309,990/yr California +142.0% vs this role
- Nurse Anesthetists $283,780/yr California +121.5% vs this role
- General Internal Medicine Physicians $273,270/yr California +113.3% vs this role
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists $272,520/yr California +112.7% vs this role
- Surgeons All Other $255,620/yr California +99.5% vs this role
- Family Medicine Physicians $252,930/yr California +97.4% vs this role
- Physicians All Other $249,620/yr California +94.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Dental Hygienists salary in California?
The average Dental Hygienists salary in California is $128,110 per year (median $124,930), which is 29.4% above the national average of $98,990.
How does California rank for Dental Hygienists pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($131,530/yr).
How much do entry-level Dental Hygienists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Dental Hygienists in California earn about $102,090 per year and the 25th percentile is $109,730.
How much do Dental Hygienists make per hour in California?
About $61.59 per hour, based on the $128,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Dental Hygienists work in California?
BLS counts 24,500 Dental Hygienists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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