Dental Hygienist Salary in Lakewood, CA: $126,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lakewood, CA earns a median $126,605/year (≈ $60.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $111,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, CA, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $126,605 in 2026, which marks a significant 22.98% increase over the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession in the area is projected to be between $99,012 at the 10th percentile and $162,120 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on data from 2025 BLS OEWS and adjusted for regional cost of living differences. With only 19 dental hygienists currently employed in Lakewood, the job market appears relatively stable, indicating a healthy demand for dental hygiene professionals in the area.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,012 | $47.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,914 | $50.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,605 | $60.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,226 | $67.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,120 | $77.94 |
Median Salary Position
22.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,108 (2026 est.). At $126,605, the local median is 22.98% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $126,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,851 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +22.98% more |
Dental Hygienists in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $126,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.98% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.50% below the California state average of $129,851.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,605 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,941 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$107,222
2025 BLS Actual
$120,645
2026 Current Est.
$126,605
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lakewood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $107,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,948 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,595 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,403 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,609 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,859 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $107,222 (2020) to $120,645 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,637 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $99,012 – $105,914 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,914 – $126,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,605 – $140,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,226 – $162,120 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lakewood
Considering the cost of living index in Lakewood stands at 113.1, dental hygienists must navigate a market where operational costs can impact take-home pay. Competition among employers is notable, with multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) generally offering more lucrative pay and benefits packages compared to solo dental practices. The disparity between the lower and higher end of the salary spectrum can often be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses linked to perio recall and recare retention efforts, as well as incentives from DSOs like sign-on bonuses that can appeal to recent graduates. For those in this career, maximizing income potential may involve seeking out positions at practices that utilize flexible scheduling, like 4-day work weeks, or aligning with DSOs that provide comprehensive benefits, thereby enhancing overall compensation in the Lakewood market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $120,645 for dental hygienistsin the Lakewood 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
Salary data for Lakewood 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