Dental hygienist salary in California
The median dental hygienist in California earns $124,930 a year (about $60.06 an hour); the mean is $128,110. That is $26,830 (27%) above the US median of $98,100, and ranks 4 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| California | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $124,930 | $98,100 |
| Mean annual wage | $128,110 | $98,990 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $60.06 | $47.16 |
| Employed | 24,500 | 222,740 |
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral disease and provide preventive care. These figures are for employees; BLS reports hourly pay and converts it to a yearly figure.
How California compares with nearby ranks
States closest to California in the dental hygienist median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 | $127,910 |
| Alaska | $132,690 | $122,560 |
| Washington | $131,160 | $131,530 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | $120,470 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | $114,360 |
| Colorado | $109,580 | $110,030 |
See the full state ranking for dental hygienists.
Other dental roles in California
- Dental assistant salary in CaliforniaMedian $50,110
- General dentist salary in CaliforniaMedian $165,950
More for California
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Common questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in California?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in California is $124,930 (about $60.06 an hour) and the mean is $128,110, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does California compare with the national figure?
The California median is $26,830 (27%) above the national median of $98,100. It ranks 4 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental hygienists.
How many dental hygienists work in California?
BLS estimates 24,500 employed dental hygienists in California in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.