Dental Hygienists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $132,010 +40% vs national
Median hourly $63.47
10th percentile $116,280
90th percentile $159,310
Employed locally 280
National median $94,260

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Dental Hygienists
in
Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $116,280
    25th
    $126,720
    50th (median)
    $132,010
    75th
    $145,290
    90th
    $159,310

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Hygienists salary vs area income 138% Median Dental Hygienists salary is 38% 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $131,890
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $131,610
    Fairbanks-College, AK $130,110

    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 Rosa-Petaluma, CA $131,610
    Napa, CA $127,840
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $127,120

    Related occupations in Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,470
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $76,640
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,130
    Family Medicine Physicians $287,230
    Physical Therapists $121,330
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $50,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Dental Hygienists in Santa Maria, CA is $63.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $72.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Dental Hygienists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 40% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Dental Hygienists (10th percentile) earn around $116,280 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,720.