Dental Hygienists Salary in California
Dental Hygienists in California earn a median annual wage of $124,930 —27.3% above the national median of $98,100. That ranks CA #4 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.94×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $137,220 | $65.97 | 320 | 0.31 |
| 2 | Alaska | $132,690 | $63.79 | 790 | 1.70 |
| 3 | Washington | $131,160 | $63.06 | 6,330 | 1.24 |
| 4 | California | $124,930 | $60.06 | 24,500 | 0.94 |
| 5 | Oregon | $122,080 | $58.69 | 3,600 | 1.28 |
| 6 | Nevada | $115,290 | $55.43 | 1,510 | 0.68 |
| 7 | Colorado | $109,580 | $52.68 | 4,270 | 1.04 |
| 8 | Maryland | $107,830 | $51.84 | 3,500 | 0.88 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $107,040 | $51.46 | 7,230 | 1.18 |
| 10 | New York | $106,130 | $51.03 | 13,660 | 0.98 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do dental hygienists make in California?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in California is $124,930, or $60.06 per hour. That is 27.3% above the national median of $98,100.
What is the entry-level dental hygienists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $102,090 per year ($49.08/hour). The 25th percentile is $109,730.
How many people work as dental hygienists in California?
About 24,500 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for dental hygienists?
California ranks #4 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.94x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays dental hygienists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $137,220 per year, followed by Alaska ($132,690) and Washington ($131,160).