Dental Hygienist Salary in Daly City, CA: $133,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Daly City, CA earns a median $133,329/year (≈ $64.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $117,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, CA, the occupational market for dental hygienists is characterized by a projected median salary of $133,329 for 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $102,946. With employment figures showing 20 dental hygienists in the area, this indicates a relatively stable job market for this profession, as the number of positions aligns with local demand and population needs. The salary range extends from $97,876 at the 10th percentile to $169,183 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of compensation based on experience and workplace settings. These estimates were derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggesting lucrative opportunities within the city for qualified professionals in dental hygiene.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,876 | $47.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,441 | $53.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,329 | $64.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,196 | $70.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,183 | $81.34 |
Median Salary Position
29.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,307 (2026 est.). At $133,329, the local median is 29.51% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be above the median
How Daly City Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $133,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,951 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +29.51% more |
Dental Hygienists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $133,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.51% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.60% above the California state average of $129,951.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,329 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,886 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$112,917
2025 BLS Actual
$127,053
2026 Current Est.
$133,329
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Daly City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $112,917 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,416 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,916 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $112,917 (2020) to $127,053 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,999 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $97,876 – $110,441 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,441 – $133,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,329 – $146,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,196 – $169,183 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Daly City
In terms of actual earning potential, the cost of living index in Daly City stands at 113.1, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of dental hygienists despite the attractive salary figures. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen Dental are emerging as some of the highest payers for dental hygienists, often offering sign-on bonuses and comprehensive health benefits that may be less common in private practices. The disparity in compensation can also be attributed to differences in operational models; for instance, production-based bonuses linked to recall and retention metrics, and the choice between working a 4-day or 5-day schedule can significantly influence overall earnings. For those seeking to maximize their pay within the Daly City market, leveraging opportunities within DSOs while aiming for positions that offer robust benefits and performance incentives is advisable. This strategic approach will enable dental hygienists to better navigate the complexities of compensation while considering the local economic factors at play.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $127,053 for dental hygienistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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