Dental Hygienists pay in California
In California, the median pay for dental hygienists is $60.06 an hour ($124,930 a year). About 24,500 people work in this job there.
That is 27% higher than the U.S. median ($98,100). California ranks 4th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for dental hygienists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $49.08 | $102,090 |
| 25% of workers | $52.76 | $109,730 |
| Half of workers (median) | $60.06 | $124,930 |
| 75% of workers | $63.52 | $132,120 |
| 90% of workers | $73.04 | $151,920 |
Dental Hygienists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $146,760 | 3,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $139,990 | 1,620 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $136,210 | 310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $135,990 | 260 |
| Napa | $131,370 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $130,600 | 220 |
| Vallejo | $128,570 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $126,530 | 500 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $125,670 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $125,130 | 480 |
| Yuba City | $124,780 | 60 |
| Modesto | $123,910 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $123,790 | 1,940 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $122,980 | 7,940 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $122,540 | 2,200 |
| Salinas | $122,370 | 240 |
| Chico | $118,800 | 150 |
| Redding | $118,130 | 130 |
| Merced | $117,400 | 100 |
| El Centro | $115,870 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $114,380 | 340 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $113,160 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $105,730 | 1,860 |
| Fresno | $101,730 | 530 |
| Visalia | $98,240 | 200 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for dental hygienists
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +8% over ten years, much faster than average · about 15,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 |
| Dental Assistants | $50,110 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $104,820 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 |
| Surgical Technologists | $81,310 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.