Dental Hygienist Pay

Sacramento vs Yuba City: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Sacramento, CA
$128,593
$61.83/hr
Yuba City, CA
$130,944
$62.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAYuba City, CA
Median Salary$128,593$130,944
Hourly Rate$61.83$62.95
Entry Level (P10)$125,634$109,725
25th Percentile$128,289$124,280
75th Percentile$132,917$135,331
Top Earner (P90)$133,914$137,482
Total Employed2,20060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($128,593) and Yuba City ($130,944) dental hygienist salaries.SacramentoYuba CityMedian Salary$128,593$130,944Entry Level (P10)$125,634$109,725Top Earner (P90)$133,914$137,482US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and Yuba City is $2,351 (1.83%). Yuba City's median is +27.20% 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,Yuba City spans $27,757. Yuba City 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
Yuba City
P10 (Entry)$109,725
P25$124,280
Median$130,944
P75$135,331
P90 (Top)$137,482

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Yuba City ($125,626 effective) pays 4.21% more than Sacramento ($120,552 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $128,593
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $120,552
Yuba City
Nominal: $130,944
CoL Index: 104.233
Adjusted: $125,626

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)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yuba City if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,944/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,482)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,626)
  • 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 6.6% growth in Yuba City over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+18.7%

$103,220 (2020) → $122,540 (2025)

Yuba City, CA

+6.6%

$117,100 (2020) → $124,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Sacramento or Yuba City?

Yuba City has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $130,944/year, compared to Sacramento at $128,593/year — a difference of $2,351 (1.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Yuba City?

Sacramento dental hygienists earn $61.83/hr while Yuba City hygienists earn $62.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Yuba City as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Yuba City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $120,552, Yuba City = $125,626), job availability (2,200 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $125,634 in Sacramento and $109,725 in Yuba City. 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