Dental Hygienist Salary in Richmond, CA: $132,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Richmond, CA earns a median $132,364/year (≈ $63.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $117,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a current workforce of 25 dental hygienists, the job market in Richmond, California, demonstrates promising opportunities for professionals in this field. The median annual salary is projected at $132,364 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $102,946, reflecting a 28.58% premium for local hygienists. The salary range for these positions spans from $95,639 at the 10th percentile to as much as $170,896 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations, indicate a favorable employment scenario that suggests healthy demand for dental hygiene services in Richmond.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,639 | $45.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,484 | $52.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,364 | $63.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,882 | $70.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,896 | $82.16 |
Median Salary Position
28.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,257 (2026 est.). At $132,364, the local median is 28.58% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $132,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,896 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +28.58% more |
Dental Hygienists in Richmond, CA earn a median of $132,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.58% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.90% above the California state average of $129,896.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,364 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,033 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$112,099
2025 BLS Actual
$126,133
2026 Current Est.
$132,364
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richmond (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $112,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,575 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,133 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,903 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $112,099 (2020) to $126,133 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,804 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $95,639 – $108,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,484 – $132,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,364 – $146,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,882 – $170,896 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Richmond
On considering the dental hygienist pay in Richmond, CA, it is crucial to examine the interplay between local job strength and living costs, given the cost-of-living index of 113.1. Though only a limited number of hygienists are currently employed in the area, the potential for higher earnings exists, particularly in multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often provide attractive benefits and bonuses. The disparity in compensation is influenced by various factors, including production-based bonuses linked to periodontal care and differences in practice types. To maximize income, aspiring and current dental hygienists may consider positions within DSOs, which frequently offer sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages, a contrast to many independent practices that may not cover health insurance. By understanding these dynamics, dental hygienists can better navigate their career paths in Richmond while enhancing their earning potential.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $126,133 for dental hygienistsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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