Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $64.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Daly City, CA runs $64.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,329 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,993 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, California, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $64.10, significantly above the national average of $49.49. This substantial difference highlights the competitive landscape for hygiene professionals in the region, especially for those who may work in part-time positions or per-diem roles across various settings like general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty suites, and pediatric clinics. The hourly wage can range from $47.06 at the entry-level up to $81.34 for the most experienced hygienists. For those considering flexible work arrangements, the lucrative hourly pay offers a compelling incentive, allowing professionals to balance personal schedules while enjoying higher earnings compared to many other states.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.06 | $376.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.10 | $424.80 |
| Median (P50) | $64.10 | $512.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.29 | $562.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.34 | $650.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $64.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.10/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,917. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,563.89 | $11,110 | $133,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,538.34 | $6,666 | $79,993 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,025.56 | $4,444 | $53,329 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Daly City) | $64.10 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $133,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.51% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.60% above the California state average of $129,951.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.10/hr = $79,993/year (purchasing power: $70,728).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,322/year (purchasing power: $117,880).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$54.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.10/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Daly City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Daly City grew 12.5% from $54.29/hr (2020) to $61.08/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Daly City
When considering part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working three days a week, totalling around 24 hours, can expect to take home about $79,740 annually, which still reflects a healthy income. For hygienists seeking flexibility, per-diem opportunities are prevalent but often come with variability in pay; while local agencies might pay between $40-60 per hour, more competitive markets such as San Francisco can push rates higher, sometimes reaching $60-85 per hour. In Daly City, earnings can also differ based on employer type—from solo practices to large Dental Service Organizations like Heartland Dental or Pacific Dental Services. Some dental hygienists may accept lower hourly wages if those positions provide comprehensive health benefits, while others may opt for higher pay without benefits. Negotiation skills are key for hourly positions; understanding the local market and leveraging data on typical rates can greatly enhance a dental hygienist's position when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Daly City in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Daly City?
Are dental hygienists in Daly City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Daly City?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Daly City?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Daly City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Daly City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov