Dental Hygienists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $127,120 +34.9% vs national
Median hourly $61.11
10th percentile $123,760
90th percentile $128,560
Employed locally 170
National median $94,260

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Dental Hygienists
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $123,760
    25th
    $126,750
    50th (median)
    $127,120
    75th
    $127,320
    90th
    $128,560

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Hygienists salary vs area income 116% Median Dental Hygienists salary is 16% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Hygienists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $146,760
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,010
    Vallejo, CA $134,450
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $132,010
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $131,890
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $131,610

    Nearby metros — Dental Hygienists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $146,760
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $135,010
    Vallejo, CA $134,450
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $132,010
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $131,610
    Napa, CA $127,840

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $57,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Hygienists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Hygienists in Santa Cruz, CA is $61.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.00 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Dental Hygienists salaries?

    The median Dental Hygienists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 34.9% above the national median of $94,260. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Hygienists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Dental Hygienists (10th percentile) earn around $123,760 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,750.