Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $62.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Los Angeles, CA runs $62.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,055 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,427 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at an attractive $62.04, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This appealing rate provides part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, with solid earnings potential and fosters interest in per-diem positions within a variety of practice settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. The hourly range for dental hygienists in the area is diverse, extending from $28.66 for entry-level positions to $69.27 for top earners, offering many opportunities for new graduates while still maintaining competitive rates for experienced individuals. This 2026 data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, reflects the robust demand for dental hygienists across Los Angeles, positioning the profession favorably within the job market.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.66 | $229.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54.27 | $434.20 |
| Median (P50) | $62.04 | $496.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.88 | $527.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.27 | $554.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $62.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.04/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $129,044 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,449. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,481.62 | $10,754 | $129,044 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,488.97 | $6,452 | $77,427 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $992.65 | $4,301 | $51,618 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Los Angeles) | $62.04 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $129,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.36% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% below the California state average of $129,965.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.04/hr = $77,427/year (purchasing power: $68,178).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,044/year (purchasing power: $113,629).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$53.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.04/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Los Angeles (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $53.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Los Angeles grew 11.5% from $53.00/hr (2020) to $59.12/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.11/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Part-time dental hygienists, working 24 hours a week, can earn a substantial income, potentially taking home around $77,000 annually based on their hourly rate; this is an appealing option for those seeking work-life balance. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Los Angeles tends to be influenced by the employer type, with agency positions generally offering $40-60 per hour, while high-cost living areas like San Francisco and New York can push rates up to $60-85 for temporary positions. Additionally, a variety of workplace settings, including solo practices, multi-doctor groups, and DSO franchises, affect hourly salaries, often correlating directly with the benefits provided. While some dental hygienists may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others may prefer the stability and advantages of salaried employment with health insurance. For those entering the job market, negotiating terms based on specific benefits and working conditions can yield favorable outcomes, especially within the vibrant, diverse dental community of Los Angeles, CA.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Los Angeles?
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Related Pages
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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 Los Angeles. 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