Salary distribution
Where San Diego dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $107,440 and $126,840, with a median of $120,300.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record and review patient medical histories.
- 02
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- 03
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- 04
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- 05
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- 06
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- 07
Expose and develop x-ray film.
- 08
Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for dental hygienists.
- San Jose$135,010
- Sacramento$121,310
- Riverside$109,040
- Los Angeles$106,480
- San Francisco—
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in the San Diego metropolitan area is $120,300.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Dental Hygienists?
- The San Diego metro median is -0.6% versus the California state median of $121,080.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The San Diego metro median is +27.8% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $107,050 and the 90th-percentile at $129,700 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Dental Hygienists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.