Dental Hygienists in California
Thinking about a career as a Dental Hygienists in California? Here’s what you need to know. Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
What do Dental Hygienists Make in California?
The dental hygienists working in California, wages run about $121,080 per year (or about $58.21/hour).Earnings range from $56,330 at the 10th percentile to $137,460 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,330 | $27.08 |
| 25th percentile | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Median (50th) | $121,080 | $58.21 |
| 75th percentile | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| 90th percentile | $137,460 | $66.09 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 0.89, suggesting fewer dental hygienists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, dental hygienists earn a median of $101,356 per year ($48.73/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 3,471,633 dental hygienists nationwide. In California alone, about 22,940 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 2,840 dental hygienists.
Top California Metros for Dental Hygienists
The metro areas below employ the most dental hygienists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,100 | $106,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,100 | n/a |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,180 | $121,310 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,000 | $120,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,560 | $135,010 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,420 | $109,040 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 570 | $122,520 |
| Fresno, CA | 400 | $103,310 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 350 | $95,510 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 350 | $124,550 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 320 | $131,610 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 280 | $132,010 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 220 | $121,100 |
| Modesto, CA | 210 | $121,010 |
| Vallejo, CA | 190 | $134,450 |
| Salinas, CA | 170 | $122,050 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 170 | $127,120 |
| Visalia, CA | 150 | $98,100 |
| Chico, CA | 110 | $118,990 |
| Napa, CA | 100 | $127,840 |
| Redding, CA | 100 | $106,960 |
| Yuba City, CA | 70 | $121,670 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 60 | $102,330 |
| El Centro, CA | 40 | $109,120 |
Top States for Dental Hygienists Employment
View the states that employ the most dental hygienists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 22,940 |
| Texas | 16,010 |
| Florida | 13,860 |
| New York | 10,350 |
| Illinois | 8,740 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,640 |
| Ohio | 8,500 |
| Michigan | 8,320 |
| Georgia | 7,360 |
| North Carolina | 7,030 |
| Massachusetts | 6,780 |
| New Jersey | 6,030 |
| Wisconsin | 5,620 |
| Washington | 5,140 |
| Indiana | 5,110 |
| Arizona | 5,040 |
| Minnesota | 4,660 |
| Tennessee | 4,550 |
| Colorado | 4,470 |
| Utah | 3,940 |
Highest-Paying States for Dental Hygienists
Where dental hygienists earn the most: dental hygienists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $129,760 |
| District of Columbia | $127,900 |
| Washington | $125,370 |
| California | $121,080 |
| Oregon | $118,280 |
| Colorado | $106,730 |
| Maryland | $105,140 |
| Nevada | $103,160 |
| New Jersey | $102,600 |
| Massachusetts | $100,790 |
Skills
The most important dental hygienists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for dental hygienists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Record and review patient medical histories.
- Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- Expose and develop x-ray film.
- Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
- Apply fluorides or other cavity preventing agents to arrest dental decay.
- Maintain dental equipment and sharpen and sterilize dental instruments.
- Maintain patient recall system.
- Feel lymph nodes under patient's chin to detect swelling or tenderness that could indicate presence of oral cancer.
Work Activities
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Henry Schein Dentrix
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Dental Support Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to dental hygienists include:
- Dentists, General
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Orthodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
Also Known As
Dental Hygienist, Dental Nurse, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Hygienist, Licensed Dental Hygienist, Oral Hygienist, Pediatric Dental Hygienist, Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1292.00
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