Dental hygienist salary in California

Dental hygienists in California earn a median $124,930 a year. That's 27% above the national median, ranking California #3 of 49 states.

Median pay
$124,930
Median hourly
$60.06
Typical range
$102,090–$151,920
Jobs
24,500

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for dental hygienists in California
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$102,090$74,880
25th$109,730$83,570
Median$124,930$98,100
75th$132,120$108,480
90th (top earners)$151,920$126,050

Pay in California metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$122,9807,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$146,7603,780

Compare other states

  1. –District of Columbia$137,220
  2. 1Alaska$132,690
  3. 2Washington$131,160
  4. 3California$124,930
  5. 4Oregon$122,080
  6. 5Nevada$115,290
  7. 6Colorado$109,580
  8. 7Maryland$107,830
  9. 8New Jersey$107,040
  10. 9New York$106,130
  11. 10Minnesota$103,970
  12. 11Virginia$102,950
  13. 12New Hampshire$101,250
  14. 13Arizona$101,010
  15. 14Connecticut$100,690
  16. 15Massachusetts$100,640
  17. 16Texas$99,240
  18. 17Delaware$98,910
  19. 18Montana$98,440
  20. 19North Carolina$97,850
  21. 20Maine$97,680
  22. 21Oklahoma$97,580
  23. 22Hawaii$97,570
  24. 23Vermont$97,470
  25. 24Illinois$96,670
  26. 25Wisconsin$96,540
  27. 26New Mexico$95,940
  28. 27Georgia$95,490
  29. 28Idaho$94,650
  30. 29Missouri$92,750
  31. 30Nebraska$92,580
  32. 31Indiana$92,330
  33. 32South Dakota$92,210
  34. 33Florida$91,980
  35. 34Utah$91,120
  36. 35North Dakota$90,530
  37. 36Ohio$88,990
  38. 37Rhode Island$86,910
  39. 38Arkansas$86,760
  40. 39Louisiana$85,240
  41. 40Wyoming$85,130
  42. 41Tennessee$84,640
  43. 42South Carolina$84,340
  44. 43Iowa$84,010
  45. 44Michigan$83,790
  46. 45Pennsylvania$80,610
  47. 46Kentucky$78,830
  48. 47West Virginia$73,840
  49. 48Mississippi$67,280
  50. 49Alabama$61,160
  51. –Puerto Rico$59,320

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in California.

Dental hygiene schools in CaliforniaHow to become a dental hygienist

Frequently asked questions

How much do dental hygienists make in California?

The median pay for dental hygienists in California is $124,930 a year ($60.06 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $102,090, and the top 10% earn over $151,920.

Is California a good state for dental hygienists?

California ranks #3 of 49 states for median dental hygienist pay, 27% above the national median of $98,100. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a dental hygienist earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a dental hygienist covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Dental Hygienists, SOC 29-1292). Figures exclude self-employed workers.