Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$43,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$51,807 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$47,870 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $79,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $60,830▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $101,120▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $126,400▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $51,807▲ | $42,473 | +$9,334 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,732 | $66,207▲ | -$26,475 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,870▲ | $35,595 | +$12,275 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 130,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $36,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($51,807 vs $42,473 equivalent). Memphis, TN has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.