Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $61.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Sacramento, CA runs $61.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,165 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $61.83 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $49.49. This robust hourly rate offers substantial earning potential for those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, or for per-diem hygienists, especially in settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, and public health clinics. For entry-level professionals, the hourly rate starts around $60.40, while experienced practitioners can expect to earn up to $64.38. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, indicate a healthy demand for skilled dental hygienists in the region, reflecting the increasing importance of oral health in overall wellness.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60.40 | $483.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61.67 | $493.39 |
| Median (P50) | $61.83 | $494.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.91 | $511.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.38 | $515.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $61.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.83/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $128,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,197. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,473.23 | $10,717 | $128,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,483.94 | $6,430 | $77,165 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $989.29 | $4,287 | $51,443 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Sacramento) | $61.83 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $128,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.91% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.00% below the California state average of $129,892.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.83/hr = $77,165/year (purchasing power: $72,340).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,608/year (purchasing power: $120,566).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$49.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.83/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sacramento (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $49.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sacramento grew 18.7% from $49.63/hr (2020) to $58.92/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.89/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
While full-time dental hygienists in Sacramento can enjoy a stable annual income, those opting for part-time or per-diem work can see varied outcomes. A dental hygienist working 24 hours per week may earn approximately $73,000 annually, a viable option for those seeking flexibility. However, per diem dental hygienist pay in Sacramento typically ranges from $40 to $60 hourly, with experienced professionals in high-cost-of-living cities potentially earning $60 to $85 hourly through temp agencies. Pay rates often vary across different employer types, with solo practices generally offering lower hourly wages compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which may provide additional benefits. As such, dental hygienists must weigh their options carefully, often negotiating for better pay versus valuable health benefits, depending on their personal priorities and financial needs.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sacramento in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Sacramento?
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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 Sacramento. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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