BLS wage data · May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in California
Dental hygienists in California earn a median of $124,930 a year, or $60.06 an hour (BLS, May 2025). That's 27% more than the national median of $98,100, and ranks 4th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
California dental hygienist pay range
Half of dental hygienists in California earn between $109,730 and $132,120 a year. The bottom 10% earn less than $102,090, and the top 10% earn more than $151,920. BLS doesn't track starting pay, so the lower percentiles are the best guide to entry-level salary.
- 10th percentile
- $102,090
- Bottom 10% earn less
- 25th percentile
- $109,730
- Bottom 25% earn less
- Median
- $124,930
- Half earn more, half less
- 75th percentile
- $132,120
- Top 25% earn more
- 90th percentile
- $151,920
- Top 10% earn more
- Median annual
- $124,930
- $60.06 an hour
- Average (mean)
- $128,110
- $61.59 an hour
- vs US median
- +27%
- US: $98,100
- Pay rank
- 4th
- of 50 with May 2025 data
How California compares with nearby states
California pays more than nearby Oregon ($122,080), Nevada ($115,290), and Arizona ($101,010).
| State | Median / year | vs US | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $124,930 | +27% | 4th |
| Oregon | $122,080 | +24% | 5th |
| Nevada | $115,290 | +18% | 6th |
| Arizona | $101,010 | +3% | 14th |
Median pay, BLS OEWS. Rank 1 = highest median pay among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. See all states.
Dental hygienist jobs in California
- Employed
- 24,500
- Most of 50 with May 2025 data
- Per 1,000 jobs
- 1.3
- Of all jobs in California
- Location quotient
- 0.94
- 1.00 = US average
About 1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in California are dental hygienist jobs.
For the size of its workforce, California has about 6% fewer dental hygienist jobs than the US average (location quotient 0.94; 1.00 = the national average).
Many dental hygienists work part time, and some work for more than one dentist (BLS). Temping is another way to pick up shifts: see how temp and PRN work pays.
Schools, license, and CE in California
- Schools
Dental hygiene schools in California
California has 28 dental hygiene programs at 26 schools.
Compare programs - License
How to become a dental hygienist in California
Exams, application steps, and board links for licensure in California.
See license steps - CE
California CE requirements
25 units every 2 years. See required topics and renewal rules.
See CE rules
California dental hygienist salary FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in California?
Dental hygienists in California earn a median of $124,930 a year ($60.06 an hour), according to BLS data for May 2025. The average (mean) is $128,110. That's 27% more than the national median of $98,100.
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in California?
The median hourly wage in California is $60.06 and the mean is $61.59 (BLS, May 2025). Nationally, the May 2025 median is $47.16 an hour.
What is the starting salary for dental hygienists in California?
BLS doesn't publish starting salaries. The closest guide is the low end of the range: in California, 10% of dental hygienists earn less than $102,090 a year and 25% earn less than $109,730.
How does California rank for dental hygienist pay?
By median pay, California ranks 4th among the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data (+27% vs the US median). California pays more than nearby Oregon ($122,080), Nevada ($115,290), and Arizona ($101,010). See every state
How many dental hygienists work in California?
About 24,500 dental hygienists work in California (BLS, May 2025). That's the most of the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data. About 1.3 of every 1,000 jobs in California are dental hygienist jobs.
How do I become a dental hygienist in California?
To become a dental hygienist in California, you graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program, pass the NBDHE and the California Law and Ethics exam, plus the ADEX or CRDTS clinical exam unless you graduated from a California program within the past three years, and apply to the Dental Hygiene Board of California. See the full steps, exams accepted, and board links. California license steps
Sources and method
- BLS OEWS: California, May 2025. All occupations for the state; Dental Hygienists is SOC 29-1292
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). National and state estimates, May 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. Licensing and work schedule facts
- Data retrieved September 28, 2026. BLS publishes new wage estimates once a year.
- Annual pay is hourly pay times 2,080 hours. Employment excludes self-employed workers and is rounded by BLS.
- Rank and “vs US” are computed from BLS medians; percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. Ranks cover the 49 states and DC with May 2025 data.
Jobs in BrushNotes
Find dental hygienist jobs in California
Search dental hygienist jobs by ZIP code, including temp and PRN listings where available, and track your California CE for license renewal in the same account.