Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Long Beach, CA: $62.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Long Beach, CA runs $62.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,483 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Long Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,689 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $62.25, significantly above the national hourly median of $49.49. This competitive pay reflects the higher cost of living in the area and the demand for skilled dental professionals. Part-time hygienists working three days a week may find this hourly rate appealing, as it offers a reasonable income while allowing for a flexible schedule. Those in various settings, such as private dental offices, specialty practices, and public health clinics, can expect to see pay rates ranging from $43.41 at the entry-level to $86.00 for top earners. These estimates provide valuable insights into the earnings potential for dental hygienists in the region, as they are derived from projected annual salary data for 2026.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.41 | $347.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.53 | $428.24 |
| Median (P50) | $62.25 | $498.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.20 | $577.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.00 | $687.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Beach
Based on $62.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.25/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $129,481 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,700. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,490.02 | $10,790 | $129,481 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,494.01 | $6,474 | $77,689 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $996.01 | $4,316 | $51,792 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Long Beach) | $62.25 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $129,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.78% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.30% below the California state average of $129,873.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.25/hr = $77,689/year (purchasing power: $68,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,481/year (purchasing power: $114,484).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$55.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.25/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Long Beach (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $55.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Long Beach grew 6.5% from $55.72/hr (2020) to $59.32/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Long Beach
For a dental hygienist working part-time, specifically three days a week totaling around 24 hours, the annual take-home pay can still yield a substantial income compared to those working full-time. Balancing hours and benefits is crucial in this profession. Per-diem or agency roles are prevalent, with pay rates typically fluctuating between $40 and $60 per hour; however, high-cost locations such as Long Beach might offer rates closer to those found in cities like San Francisco or New York, where $60 to $85 per hour is more common. Hourly wages can vary by employer type in Long Beach, given that solo practices may pay differently than larger group practices or Dental Service Organizations, which often provide benefits that could be appealing despite offering lower hourly rates. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, it’s essential to negotiate effectively, considering overall compensation packages, including health benefits and retirement plans, and to stay informed of the broader pay trends in dental hygiene within CA.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Long Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Long Beach?
Are dental hygienists in Long Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Long Beach?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Long Beach?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Long Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long Beach 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