Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$39,306 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$32,942 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $79,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $60,830▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $101,120▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $126,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,306 | $42,473▲ | -$3,167 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,989 | $66,207▲ | -$9,218 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,942 | $35,595▲ | -$2,653 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 130,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $11,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($39,306 vs $42,473 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.