Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $60.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Davis, CA runs $60.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,720 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,436 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Davis, California, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay for 2026 is $60.45, significantly outpacing the national median of $49.49 for the same year. This attractive pay scale can be advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers, especially those who typically secure shifts in diverse settings like general dentist offices, periodontal suites, pediatric clinics, and public health mobile units. For those working three days a week, the opportunities to earn a competitive wage increase as they can expect to fall within an hourly range of $46.54 to $76.38, depending on their experience and workplace. These estimates derived from annual salary data illustrate the appealing earning potential available to dental hygienists in the area.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46.54 | $372.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.39 | $411.11 |
| Median (P50) | $60.45 | $483.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.79 | $542.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.38 | $611.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $60.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.45/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $125,727 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,535. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,417.82 | $10,477 | $125,727 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,450.69 | $6,286 | $75,436 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $967.13 | $4,191 | $50,291 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Davis) | $60.45 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.45/hr = $75,436/year (purchasing power: $66,698).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,727/year (purchasing power: $111,164).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$51.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.45/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Davis (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $51.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Davis grew 12.5% from $51.19/hr (2020) to $57.60/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Davis
While the hourly rate seems promising, it's vital to consider how it translates into annual earnings, particularly for part-time hygienists working three days a week, who would bring home around $75,720 in 2026. In contrast, full-time workers can enhance their financial contributions significantly, potentially increasing their earnings further in various settings. Per diem opportunities also exist, with temporary or agency dental hygienists in larger metros fetching $40 to $60 per hour, while those in high-cost areas can demand higher rates, reaching $60 to $85 per hour. Moreover, pay can vary across employer types in Davis, from solo practices to multi-doctor groups and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Dental hygienists often face a trade-off between higher hourly wages with no benefits versus lower wages coupled with comprehensive health plans. When negotiating hourly rates, it's vital to align expectations with market trends in Davis; understanding local public health needs and industry demands can lead to better negotiation outcomes.
More salary data for Davis, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Davis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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