California Median
$124,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+27% vs US median
US median $98,100
State Rank
#4 of 50
24,500 employed here
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in California?
Dental Hygienists in California take home a median of $124,930 annually — roughly $60.06 an hour — which runs 27% above the national median of $98,100.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $102,090 while the top 10% make $151,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,730 and $132,120 a year.
Dental Hygienist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,090 | $49.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,730 | $52.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $124,930 | $60.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,120 | $63.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,920 | $73.04 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 50 states and territories for Dental Hygienist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dental Hygienist salary in other states
District of Columbia $137,220Alaska $132,690Washington $131,160Oregon $122,080Nevada $115,290Colorado $109,580Maryland $107,830New Jersey $107,040New York $106,130Minnesota $103,970Virginia $102,950New Hampshire $101,250Arizona $101,010Connecticut $100,690Massachusetts $100,640Texas $99,240Delaware $98,910Montana $98,440North Carolina $97,850Maine $97,680Oklahoma $97,580Hawaii $97,570Vermont $97,470Illinois $96,670Wisconsin $96,540New Mexico $95,940Georgia $95,490Idaho $94,650Missouri $92,750Nebraska $92,580Indiana $92,330South Dakota $92,210Florida $91,980Utah $91,120North Dakota $90,530Ohio $88,990Rhode Island $86,910Arkansas $86,760Louisiana $85,240Wyoming $85,130Tennessee $84,640South Carolina $84,340Iowa $84,010Michigan $83,790Pennsylvania $80,610Kentucky $78,830West Virginia $73,840Mississippi $67,280Alabama $61,160
Working as a Dental Hygienist in California
Nationally, about 223,000 people work as Dental Hygienists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($124,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in California?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in California is $124,930 per year, or about $60.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $102,090 at the entry level to $151,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Dental Hygienists about 27% more than the national median of $98,100. California ranks 4th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $124,930 a year. About 24,500 Dental Hygienists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dental Hygienist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.