Dental Hygienist Pay

Manteca vs Sacramento: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Manteca, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Manteca, CA
$126,996
$61.05/hr
Sacramento, CA
$128,593
$61.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManteca, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$126,996$128,593
Hourly Rate$61.05$61.83
Entry Level (P10)$99,935$125,634
25th Percentile$109,485$128,289
75th Percentile$141,122$132,917
Top Earner (P90)$163,393$133,914
Total Employed132,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manteca ($126,996) and Sacramento ($128,593) dental hygienist salaries.MantecaSacramentoMedian Salary$126,996$128,593Entry Level (P10)$99,935$125,634Top Earner (P90)$163,393$133,914US Median $102,946

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manteca.

The salary gap between Manteca and Sacramento is $1,597 (1.26%). Sacramento's median is +24.91% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manteca spans $63,458,Sacramento spans $8,280. Manteca has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Manteca
P10 (Entry)$99,935
P25$109,485
Median$126,996
P75$141,122
P90 (Top)$163,393
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$125,634
P25$128,289
Median$128,593
P75$132,917
P90 (Top)$133,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($120,552 effective) pays 7.36% more than Manteca ($112,286 effective).

Manteca
Nominal: $126,996
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $112,286
Sacramento
Nominal: $128,593
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $120,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manteca if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($163,393)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,593/year)
  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,552)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Manteca grew 12.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Manteca, CA

+12.5%

$107,553 (2020) → $121,018 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+18.7%

$103,220 (2020) → $122,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Manteca or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $128,593/year, compared to Manteca at $126,996/year — a difference of $1,597 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manteca and Sacramento?

Manteca dental hygienists earn $61.05/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $61.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manteca to Sacramento as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manteca and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manteca = $112,286, Sacramento = $120,552), job availability (13 vs 2,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Manteca vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $99,935 in Manteca and $125,634 in Sacramento. The Sacramento 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