Dental Hygienist salary in California
What dental hygienists earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$124,930$60.06 per hour
vs U.S.+27%U.S. median $98,100
Middle half earn$109,730 – $132,120Top 10%: $151,920+
Jobs24,5000.94× the U.S. concentration
Dental Hygienist pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,980 | $59.12 | 7,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $146,760 | $70.56 | 3,780 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,540 | $58.92 | 2,200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,790 | $59.52 | 1,940 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,730 | $50.83 | 1,860 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,990 | $67.30 | 1,620 |
| Fresno, CA | $101,730 | $48.91 | 530 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $126,530 | $60.83 | 500 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $125,130 | $60.16 | 480 |
| Modesto, CA | $123,910 | $59.57 | 390 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $114,380 | $54.99 | 340 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $136,210 | $65.49 | 310 |
| Vallejo, CA | $128,570 | $61.81 | 270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $135,990 | $65.38 | 260 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,370 | $58.83 | 240 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,670 | $60.42 | 220 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $130,600 | $62.79 | 220 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,240 | $47.23 | 200 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $126,400 | $60.77 | 170 |
| Chico, CA | $118,800 | $57.12 | 150 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $126,850 | $60.99 | 140 |
| Redding, CA | $118,130 | $56.79 | 130 |
| Merced, CA | $117,400 | $56.44 | 100 |
| Napa, CA | $131,370 | $63.16 | 100 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $126,300 | $60.72 | 100 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $113,160 | $54.41 | 80 |
| Yuba City, CA | $124,780 | $59.99 | 60 |
| El Centro, CA | $115,870 | $55.71 | 40 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Dental Hygienist pay in similar states
Alaska · $132,690 Washington · $131,160 Oregon · $122,080 Nevada · $115,290 Colorado · $109,580 Maryland · $107,830
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Pharmacists · $164,610 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Physical Therapists · $124,190 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590
Questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in California?
Dental Hygienists in California earned a median of $124,930 a year ($60.06 an hour) in May 2025, 27% more than the national median of $98,100. The middle half earned $109,730 to $132,120.
Where in California do dental hygienists earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $146,760.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.