Dental Hygienist Salary in Upland, CA: $125,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Upland, CA earns a median $125,628/year (≈ $60.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,077 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With 18 dental hygienists currently employed in Upland, CA, the market indicates a healthy demand for professionals in this field, reflected in the projected median annual salary of $125,628 for 2026. This figure markedly surpasses the national median, providing an attractive financial incentive for those considering a career in dental hygiene locally. Salary estimates reveal a diverse earning potential, ranging from $96,206 at the lower tenth percentile to as much as $163,542 at the upper ninetieth percentile, highlighting significant variance in compensation levels. These projections are informed by BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating that while opportunities are robust, the competitive landscape may vary.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,206 | $46.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,701 | $51.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,628 | $60.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,748 | $67.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,542 | $78.62 |
Median Salary Position
22.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,336 (2026 est.). At $125,628, the local median is 22.03% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Upland median: $125,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,915 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +22.03% more |
Dental Hygienists in Upland, CA earn a median of $125,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.03% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the California state average of $129,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,628 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,077 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$106,394
2025 BLS Actual
$119,714
2026 Current Est.
$125,628
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Upland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $106,394 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,153 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,174 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,834 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $106,394 (2020) to $119,714 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,834 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,440 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $96,206 – $106,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,701 – $125,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,628 – $140,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,748 – $163,542 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Upland
The dental hygienist pay in Upland, CA, is influenced by the area's cost of living index of 113.1, which suggests that while salaries may be higher than average, so are expenses. Many dental hygienists find employment in diverse settings, including solo practices, multi-doctor group practices, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. Typically, larger DSOs tend to offer higher compensation, often supplemented by production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives for new graduates. The spread between low and high-paying jobs can be attributed to factors like working hours—hygienists with 4-day schedules generally earn more—and benefits, where private practices may lack health insurance compared to DSOs offering comprehensive health packages. For those in this field aiming to maximize earnings in Upland, strategically pursuing positions within larger dental groups and negotiating hours and bonuses based on production can yield better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Upland, CA in 2026?
Is Upland, CA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Upland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Upland?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Upland?
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $119,714 for dental hygienistsin the Upland metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Upland 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