Dental Hygienist Salary in Chico, CA: $124,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Chico, CA earns a median $124,669/year (≈ $59.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $123,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Chico, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $124,669, significantly surpassing the national median of $102,946. The salary range within this local job market varies from $105,622 at the 10th percentile to $134,512 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy demand for skilled hygienists in the area. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects not only the competitive compensation for dental hygienists in Chico, CA, but also highlights the importance of local practices to meet rising patient needs. As the profession grows, the financial prospects of dental hygienists align closely with increasing expectations in both service delivery and patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,622 | $50.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,061 | $52.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,669 | $59.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,421 | $64.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,512 | $64.67 |
Median Salary Position
21.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,890 (2026 est.). At $124,669, the local median is 21.1% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be above the median
How Chico Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Chico median: $124,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,863 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +21.10% more |
Dental Hygienists in Chico, CA earn a median of $124,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.10% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.00% below the California state average of $129,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,669 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,194 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$105,580
2025 BLS Actual
$118,800
2026 Current Est.
$124,669
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Chico (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $105,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,827 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $105,580 (2020) to $118,800 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,247 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $105,622 – $110,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,061 – $124,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,669 – $133,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,421 – $134,512 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Chico
Chico's job market currently employs around 150 dental hygienists, creating a vibrant environment for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 101.197, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect disposable income. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental and Aspen offer the most competitive salaries, often supplemented with bonuses and comprehensive benefits, while solo practices may offer less stability and fewer perks. Factors like production-based bonuses tied to recall and recare retention, alongside differences in work schedules—such as four-day versus five-day weeks—contribute to the variation in pay. To maximize earnings in this local market, dental hygienists should consider pursuing employment with DSOs, negotiating their packages actively, and seeking additional certifications that can enhance their value.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $118,800 for dental hygienistsin the Chico 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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