Dental Hygienist Salary in Brentwood, CA: $129,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brentwood, CA earns a median $129,579/year (≈ $62.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $114,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Brentwood, California, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $129,579, significantly surpassing the national median of $102,946 by 25.87%. Salaries here range from $95,765 at the lower end (P10) to $171,919 at the high end (P90), indicating a healthy compensation structure within this profession. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflecting the cost of living in Brentwood, which is indexed at 113.1—above the national average. This economic context suggests that while the nominal salaries are appealing, real purchasing power must be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of wage levels in the local market.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,765 | $46.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,059 | $51.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,579 | $62.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,176 | $68.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,919 | $82.65 |
Median Salary Position
25.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,154 (2026 est.). At $129,579, the local median is 25.87% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $129,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,969 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +25.87% more |
Dental Hygienists in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $129,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.87% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% below the California state average of $129,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,579 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,570 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$109,740
2025 BLS Actual
$123,479
2026 Current Est.
$129,579
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brentwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $109,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,365 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,122 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,025 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,479 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,980 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $109,740 (2020) to $123,479 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,240 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $95,765 – $107,059 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,059 – $129,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,579 – $142,176 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,176 – $171,919 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brentwood
The local job market for dental hygienists in Brentwood includes only 13 employed professionals, indicating a relatively niche environment which can influence salary dynamics. With a cost of living index above average, the actual take-home pay may feel stretched when compared against essential living expenses. Employers in Brentwood, ranging from multi-doctor group practices to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, offer varying pay scales. Generally, DSOs tend to provide more benefits, including health insurance and competitive sign-on bonuses, which can make a significant difference in overall compensation. Factors such as production-based bonuses linked to perio recall and recare retention, alongside flexible scheduling options, can also impact salary. To maximize pay in Brentwood, dental hygienists should focus on opportunities in DSOs or practices offering extensive benefits and consider developing specialized skills that are highly in demand locally.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,479 for dental hygienistsin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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