Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Salary in Hawthorne, CA: $128,354 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Hawthorne, CA earns a median $128,354/year (≈ $61.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Hawthorne's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $113,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.

$128,354
Median Annual Salary
$61.70/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$92,904
Entry Level (P10)
$159,698
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Salary in Hawthorne, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Hawthorne, CA dental hygienist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Hawthorne, California, dental hygienists can expect a competitive salary, with a median annual compensation projected at $128,354 for 2026. This figure not only reflects the local demand for dental health professionals but also highlights a significant 24.68% premium over the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area spans from $92,904 at the 10th percentile to $159,698 at the 90th percentile, driven by various factors such as experience, work setting, and productivity-based bonuses. Estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating that the Hawthorne job market is robust for this critical healthcare role.

About the Hawthorne Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$92,904$44.66
Lower Range (P25)$112,282$53.98
Median (P50)(typical)$128,354$61.70
Upper Range (P75)$139,367$67.00
Top Earners (P90)$159,698$76.77

Median Salary Position

$92,904$159,698
City Median: $128,354
National: $102,946
P10–P90 Range

24.68% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hawthorne

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental hygienists in Hawthorne. The median salary is $128,354, compared to the national median of $102,946.$83.6K$104.6K$125.6K$146.7K$167.7K$92.9K10th Pctl$112.3K25th Pctl$128.4KMedian$139.4K75th Pctl$159.7K90th PctlUS Median$102.9K

In Hawthorne, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,794 (2026 est.). At $128,354, the local median is 24.68% above the national median of $102,946.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental hygienist pay in the Hawthorne metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$2,468
per week
$10,695
per month
$128,346
per year

At 40 hours/week in Hawthorne: You'd be above the median

How Hawthorne Dental Hygienist Pay Compares

Hawthorne median: $128,354/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryHawthorne Pays
California Average$129,913-1.20% less
National Average$102,946+24.68% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Hawthorne ($128,354) with California average ($129,913) and the US national median ($102,946).Hawthorne$128,354California Avg$129,913-1.20%US National$102,946+24.68%

Dental Hygienists in Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $128,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.68% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% below the California state average of $129,913.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$128,354
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$113,487
Adjusted Salary

Hawthorne has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $128,354. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $113,487, a loss of $14,867.$87.5K$102.5K$117.6K$132.6K$147.6K$128,354NominalSalary$113,487CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $102.9K

Hawthorne, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,354 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $113,487 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2020 BLS Actual

$108,703

2025 BLS Actual

$122,312

2026 Current Est.

$128,354

2020–2027 Growth

+23.9%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hawthorne (20202027)

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

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Hawthorne. Baseline $108,703 in 2025, projected to $134,695 by 2027.$98.3K$108.9K$119.5K$130.1K$140.8K202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$108.7K$104.4K$109.1K$119.0K$106.9K$122.3K$128.4K$134.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2020$108,703Actual
2021$104,370Actual
2022$109,082Actual
2023$119,025Actual
2024$106,894Actual
2025$122,312Actual
2026(current)$128,354Estimated
2027$134,695Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawthorne metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $108,703 (2020) to $122,312 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,992 (23.91%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawthorne 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$92,904$112,282
3-5 years (Mid Career)$112,282$128,354
5+ years (Experienced)$128,354$139,367
10+ years (Top Earner)$139,367$159,698

RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Hygienist Job Market in Hawthorne

With 13 dental hygienists currently employed in Hawthorne, the market demonstrates a steady demand for skilled professionals amid a cost-of-living index of 113.1, slightly above the national average. This elevated living cost impacts take-home pay, with higher expenses associated with living in CA. Among the employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen have increasingly emerged as higher-paying options, often providing incentives such as sign-on bonuses that appeal to new graduates. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include differences in practice types, ranging from solo practices to larger group settings, as well as varying workplace benefits. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists should consider negotiating contracts that account for production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and evaluating practice environments that offer comprehensive health benefits, which are less common in private offices. This approach can help local dental hygienists enhance their financial prospects within the Hawthorne CA market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Hawthorne, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental hygienist salary in Hawthorne is $128,354/year ($61.70/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Salaries range from $92,904 at entry level (10th percentile) to $159,698 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Hawthorne at 24.7% above the national median. Full-time dental hygienists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Hawthorne, CA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?

Hawthorne dental hygienist salaries are 24.7% above the national average and 1.2% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental hygienists make $100K in Hawthorne?

Yes — the median dental hygienist salary in Hawthorne is already $128,354, meaning more than half of dental hygienists here earn six figures. Top earners (90th percentile) make $159,698/year. Factors that push pay above $100K include years of experience, specialty certifications, and working at high-production practices or large organizations.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Hawthorne?

After adjusting for Hawthorne's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $128,354 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $113,487 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Hawthorne reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Hawthorne?

Dental Hygienists in Hawthorne earn a median hourly rate of $61.70, which translates to approximately $128,354/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $44.66 for entry-level positions to $76.77 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental hygienists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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 $122,312 for dental hygienistsin the Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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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