Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $62.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $62.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,360 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,212 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Huntington Beach, CA, earn a median hourly rate of $62.67, which significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $49.49. This robust pay potential opens various pathways for professionals in this field. For part-time workers, those typically employed three days a week can expect to earn around $48,500 annually, while per-diem or contract workers filling in at various settings like general dentistry, pediatric offices, or public health clinics can also benefit from flexible schedules and typically earn between $48.89 and $85.19 per hour based on experience and setting. Entry-level hygienists may earn close to $48.89, while seasoned professionals can achieve hourly rates nearing $85.19, tailoring their work around diverse environments like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty practices.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.89 | $391.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.95 | $431.60 |
| Median (P50) | $62.67 | $501.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.43 | $547.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.19 | $681.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $62.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.67/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $130,354 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,204. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,506.81 | $10,863 | $130,354 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,504.08 | $6,518 | $78,212 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,002.72 | $4,345 | $52,142 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Huntington Beach) | $62.67 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $130,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.63% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% above the California state average of $129,970.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.67/hr = $78,212/year (purchasing power: $69,153).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,354/year (purchasing power: $115,255).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$53.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.67/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Huntington Beach (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $53.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Huntington Beach grew 12.5% from $53.08/hr (2020) to $59.72/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.77/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
The part-time nature of many dental hygienist roles allows for creative work-life balance, but it also influences annual income compared to full-time employment. Even when working only 24 hours a week, a part-time dental hygienist can take home a respectable sum, albeit less than a full-time counterpart's projected earnings. For those considering per diem opportunities, pay in Huntington Beach could reflect the area's higher cost of living, with professionals potentially earning $40-60 per hour through agencies, and top earners pushing up to $60-85 in other high-cost locations. Additionally, hourly rates can vary widely based on employer type; professionals in DSOs might earn less per hour but could receive benefits, while contract positions may offer higher pay without health insurance. Negotiating for pay and benefits in Huntington Beach calls for savvy, particularly as the job market shifts with increasing consolidation into DSOs, accentuating the need for dental hygienists to assess what's best for their unique career goals.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Huntington Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Huntington Beach?
Are dental hygienists in Huntington Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Huntington Beach?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Huntington Beach?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Huntington Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huntington Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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