Dental Hygienist Pay

Sacramento vs Yucaipa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Sacramento, CA and Yucaipa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$128,593
$61.83/hr
Yucaipa, CA
$128,961
$62.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAYucaipa, CA
Median Salary$128,593$128,961
Hourly Rate$61.83$62.00
Entry Level (P10)$125,634$94,318
25th Percentile$128,289$113,543
75th Percentile$132,917$145,670
Top Earner (P90)$133,914$169,861
Total Employed2,20014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($128,593) and Yucaipa ($128,961) dental hygienist salaries.SacramentoYucaipaMedian Salary$128,593$128,961Entry Level (P10)$125,634$94,318Top Earner (P90)$133,914$169,861US Median $102,946

Verdict

Yucaipa, CA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sacramento.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Yucaipa is $368 (0.29%). Yucaipa's median is +25.27% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $8,280,Yucaipa spans $75,543. Yucaipa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$125,634
P25$128,289
Median$128,593
P75$132,917
P90 (Top)$133,914
Yucaipa
P10 (Entry)$94,318
P25$113,543
Median$128,961
P75$145,670
P90 (Top)$169,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($120,552 effective) pays 5.73% more than Yucaipa ($114,024 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $128,593
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $120,552
Yucaipa
Nominal: $128,961
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $114,024

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,552)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yucaipa if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,961/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,861)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Sacramento grew 18.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Yucaipa over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+18.7%

$103,220 (2020) → $122,540 (2025)

Yucaipa, CA

+12.5%

$109,217 (2020) → $122,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Sacramento or Yucaipa?

Yucaipa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $128,961/year, compared to Sacramento at $128,593/year — a difference of $368 (0.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Yucaipa?

Sacramento dental hygienists earn $61.83/hr while Yucaipa hygienists earn $62.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Yucaipa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Yucaipa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $120,552, Yucaipa = $114,024), job availability (2,200 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Sacramento vs Yucaipa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $125,634 in Sacramento and $94,318 in Yucaipa. The Sacramento area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov