Dental Hygienist Pay

Montebello vs Sacramento: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Montebello, CA
$128,714
$61.88/hr
Sacramento, CA
$128,593
$61.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMontebello, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$128,714$128,593
Hourly Rate$61.88$61.83
Entry Level (P10)$93,742$125,634
25th Percentile$113,029$128,289
75th Percentile$145,095$132,917
Top Earner (P90)$169,042$133,914
Total Employed162,200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Montebello ($128,714) and Sacramento ($128,593) dental hygienist salaries.MontebelloSacramentoMedian Salary$128,714$128,593Entry Level (P10)$93,742$125,634Top Earner (P90)$169,042$133,914US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Montebello and Sacramento is $121 (0.09%). Montebello's median is +25.03% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Montebello spans $75,300,Sacramento spans $8,280. Montebello has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Montebello
P10 (Entry)$93,742
P25$113,029
Median$128,714
P75$145,095
P90 (Top)$169,042
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$125,634
P25$128,289
Median$128,593
P75$132,917
P90 (Top)$133,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($120,552 effective) pays 5.93% more than Montebello ($113,805 effective).

Montebello
Nominal: $128,714
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $113,805
Sacramento
Nominal: $128,593
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $120,552

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Montebello if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,714/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,042)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Larger job market (2,200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,552)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Montebello grew 12.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Montebello, CA

+12.5%

$109,008 (2020) → $122,655 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+18.7%

$103,220 (2020) → $122,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Montebello or Sacramento?

Montebello has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $128,714/year, compared to Sacramento at $128,593/year — a difference of $121 (0.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Montebello and Sacramento?

Montebello dental hygienists earn $61.88/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $61.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Montebello to Sacramento as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Montebello and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Montebello = $113,805, Sacramento = $120,552), job availability (16 vs 2,200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $93,742 in Montebello and $125,634 in Sacramento. 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