Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Elk Grove, CA: $63.40 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Elk Grove, CA runs $63.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,881 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Elk Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,129 per year.

$131,881
Median Annual Salary
$63.40/hr
Hourly Rate
$94,927
Entry Level (P10)
$168,939
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Elk Grove, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Elk Grove, CA dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Elk Grove, California, dental hygienists receive a competitive median hourly pay of $63.40, significantly outpacing the national average of $49.49. This lucrative hourly rate opens many opportunities, particularly for part-time or per diem workers in various settings like general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. Workers in Elk Grove can expect an hourly range from approximately $45.64 for entry-level positions up to about $81.22 for experienced professionals. Given the cost of living index in Elk Grove, which sits at 113.1, the hourly wages reflect both the demand for dental hygienists in this region and the valuable skills these professionals bring to various practices.

About the Elk Grove Market

Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$45.64$365.11
Lower Range (P25)$51.68$413.46
Median (P50)$63.40$507.24
Upper Range (P75)$70.12$560.97
Top Earners (P90)$81.22$649.79

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elk Grove

Based on $63.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Elk Grove earning $63.40/hr would make approximately $76,086 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $131,882 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$76,086Reduced (32 hr/wk)$101,448Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$131,882

At $63.40/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elk Grove, CA can expect to earn approximately $131,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,086. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Elk Grove.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$507.24
per 8hr shift
$2,536.19
per week
$10,990
per month
$131,882
per year

Schedule Comparison in Elk Grove

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,536.19$10,990$131,882
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,521.71$6,594$79,129
Per Diem (16 hrs)$1,014.48$4,396$52,753

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Elk Grove)$63.40
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Elk Grove ($131,881) with California average ($129,932) and the US national median ($102,946).Elk Grove$131,881California Avg$129,932+1.50%US National$102,946+28.11%

Dental Hygienists in Elk Grove, CA earn a median of $131,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.11% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% above the California state average of $129,932.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $63.40/hr = $79,129/year (purchasing power: $69,964).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,882/year (purchasing power: $116,606).

CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).

2020 BLS Actual

$53.70/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$60.42/hr

2026 Current Est.

$63.40/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+23.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Elk Grove (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Elk Grove. Baseline $53.70/hr in 2025, projected to $66.54/hr by 2027.$49$54$59$64$70202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.70$51.56$53.88$58.80$53.30$60.42$63.40$66.54
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$53.70/hrActual
2021$51.56/hrActual
2022$53.88/hrActual
2023$58.80/hrActual
2024$53.30/hrActual
2025$60.42/hrActual
2026(current)$63.40/hrEstimated
2027$66.54/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Elk Grove grew 12.5% from $53.70/hr (2020) to $60.42/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk Grove metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Elk Grove

For those considering part-time work, a dental hygienist working three days a week could expect to make a considerable income while having the flexibility to balance personal commitments. This translates to an annual income that can vastly vary depending on hours worked compared to full-time positions. Per diem dental hygienists in Elk Grove might find different pay rates depending on their employment type, with agencies commonly offering $40-60 per hour, and metropolitan areas with higher costs of living presenting rates that can soar to $60-85 per hour. Additionally, hourly rates can vary across employer types in Elk Grove, as dental hygienists may earn more in specialized practices, such as pediatric or periodontal offices, compared to general practices or public health clinics. While some professionals might opt for higher hourly pay without benefits, others prefer the security of employer-provided health insurance, leading to trade-offs in hourly rates. Negotiating tips for hourly workers include showcasing additional certifications and being open to diverse practice settings, such as Dental Service Organizations, which sometimes offer sign-on bonuses, appealing to new graduates entering the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Elk Grove in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Elk Grove is $63.40/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $45.64 at entry level (10th percentile) to $81.22 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 28.1% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Elk Grove?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Elk Grove earns approximately $6,594/month, or $79,129/year at the median hourly rate of $63.40. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Elk Grove paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Elk Grove are paid hourly at a median rate of $63.40/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $131,882/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Elk Grove?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Elk Grove earns approximately $131,882/year at the median hourly rate of $63.40. This is 28.1% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $168,945/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Elk Grove?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Elk Grove sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $81.22/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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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

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 Elk Grove. 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 Elk Grove is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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