Dental Hygienist Salary in Davis, CA: $125,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Davis, CA earns a median $125,720/year (≈ $60.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Davis, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $125,720, which reflects a substantial alignment with the higher compensation trends observed in the state. The projected salary range for this profession varies significantly, with figures between $96,807 at the 10th percentile and $158,854 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from projected figures based on 2025 BLS occupational employment statistics, adjusted for regional price differences. The notable median salary not only surpasses the national average of $102,946 but demonstrates a 22.12% increase, indicative of the competitive job market in Davis that attracts skilled professionals in the dental hygiene field.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,807 | $46.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,888 | $51.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,720 | $60.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,008 | $67.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,854 | $76.38 |
Median Salary Position
22.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,047 (2026 est.). At $125,720, the local median is 22.12% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Davis median: $125,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,876 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +22.12% more |
Dental Hygienists in Davis, CA earn a median of $125,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.12% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the California state average of $129,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,720 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,158 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$106,473
2025 BLS Actual
$119,802
2026 Current Est.
$125,720
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Davis (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $106,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,228 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,582 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,445 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,802 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,931 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $106,473 (2020) to $119,802 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,458 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $96,807 – $106,888 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,888 – $125,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,720 – $141,008 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,008 – $158,854 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Davis
Despite the comparatively high dental hygienist salary in Davis, the local job market shows a modest workforce, with only 14 dental hygienists employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are higher, purchasing power can be constrained by heightened living expenses. In general, more lucrative opportunities tend to arise within multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often offer comprehensive benefits and production bonuses tied to patient retention. Factors such as the number of workdays and varying employment structures will play a crucial role in determining compensation, with four-day weeks in particular potentially providing higher earning potential. To maximize pay in this specific market, dental professionals should consider networking with local DSOs, exploring employment offers that prioritize benefits, and leveraging any available sign-on bonuses.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Davis?
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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 $119,802 for dental hygienistsin the Davis 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 Davis 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