Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $63.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Stockton, CA runs $63.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,311 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,789 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $63.13, significantly higher than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This disparity means that dental hygienists working here can achieve a comfortable lifestyle, particularly those who work part-time or per diem. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week can earn a substantial income while enjoying the flexibility of a part-time schedule. The hourly rate ranges from $53.02 at the entry-level (P10) to $67.22 for the top 10% of earners (P90), reflecting the diverse opportunities that exist across various settings, including general dentistry, specialty practices, and public health clinics. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable insight into the current market landscape for dental hygienists in Stockton.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.02 | $424.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.52 | $452.17 |
| Median (P50) | $63.13 | $505.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.66 | $533.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.22 | $537.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $63.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.13/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $131,314 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,758. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,525.28 | $10,943 | $131,314 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,515.17 | $6,566 | $78,789 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,010.11 | $4,377 | $52,526 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Stockton) | $63.13 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $131,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.55% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% above the California state average of $129,883.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.13/hr = $78,789/year (purchasing power: $74,973).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,314/year (purchasing power: $124,955).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$47.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.13/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Stockton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $47.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Stockton grew 25.7% from $47.86/hr (2020) to $60.16/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.25/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
The potential earnings for part-time dental hygienists can vary significantly. A professional working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate can expect to take home over $78,000 annually, whereas full-time employees would earn higher. However, per diem dental hygienists looking for flexible work often find rates between $40 and $60 per hour, with some high-cost metropolitan areas pushing those rates up to $60-85 per hour. In Stockton, the pay can differ widely depending on the employment setting; solo practices often offer lower rates compared to larger group practices or Dental Service Organizations, which are increasingly popular in the region. Some hygienists choose positions with lower hourly pay for the added benefits, such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay requires a careful balance of factors, including experience and the specific needs of the employer, which can lead to beneficial agreements for both parties.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Stockton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Stockton?
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How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Stockton?
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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 Stockton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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