Dental Hygienist Pay

Antioch vs Los Angeles: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Antioch, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$128,312
$61.68/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$129,055
$62.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$128,312$129,055
Hourly Rate$61.68$62.04
Entry Level (P10)$96,947$59,606
25th Percentile$108,078$112,884
75th Percentile$145,459$137,020
Top Earner (P90)$170,334$144,093
Total Employed177,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($128,312) and Los Angeles ($129,055) dental hygienist salaries.AntiochLos AngelesMedian Salary$128,312$129,055Entry Level (P10)$96,947$59,606Top Earner (P90)$170,334$144,093US Median $102,946

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Antioch.

The salary gap between Antioch and Los Angeles is $743 (0.58%). Los Angeles's median is +25.36% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $73,387,Los Angeles spans $84,487. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$96,947
P25$108,078
Median$128,312
P75$145,459
P90 (Top)$170,334
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$59,606
P25$112,884
Median$129,055
P75$137,020
P90 (Top)$144,093

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($113,639 effective) pays 0.17% more than Antioch ($113,450 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $128,312
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,450
Los Angeles
Nominal: $129,055
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $113,639

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($170,334)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,055/year)
  • Larger job market (7,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,639)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Antioch grew 12.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+12.5%

$108,668 (2020) → $122,272 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+11.5%

$110,250 (2020) → $122,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Antioch or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $129,055/year, compared to Antioch at $128,312/year — a difference of $743 (0.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and Los Angeles?

Antioch dental hygienists earn $61.68/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $62.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to Los Angeles as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $113,450, Los Angeles = $113,639), job availability (17 vs 7,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Antioch vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $96,947 in Antioch and $59,606 in Los Angeles. The Antioch area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov