Dental Hygienists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a dental hygienists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $127,120/year ($61.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $124K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $115,669 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 56.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $127K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About dental hygienists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) start around $124K. Mid-career wages sit at $127K.Top earners bring in $129K or more - a $5K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Hygienists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $130K | +38% | 770 |
| District of Columbia | $128K | +36% | 330 |
| Washington | $125K | +33% | 5,140 |
| California | $121K | +28% | 22,940 |
| Oregon | $118K | +25% | 3,640 |
| Maryland | $105K | +12% | 3,780 |
| Nevada | $103K | +9% | 2,040 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +9% | 6,030 |
| Massachusetts | $101K | +7% | 6,780 |
| Delaware | $100K | +6% | 590 |
| Vermont | $99K | +6% | 520 |
| Minnesota | $99K | +5% | 4,660 |
| Virginia | $99K | +5% | 3,580 |
| Arizona | $98K | +3% | 5,040 |
| Hawaii | $97K | +3% | 1,060 |
Track dental hygienists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $127,120 a year - that works out to about $61.11 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $123,760, and experienced dental hygienists can clear $128,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $127K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,473/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a dental hygienists salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental hygienists salary is worth about $115,669 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dental hygienists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.