Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$55,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$53,398 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$48,107 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $79,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,350 | $60,830▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,400 | $101,120▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $126,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 9.3% | -6.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,398▲ | $42,473 | +$10,925 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,550 | $66,207▲ | -$16,657 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,107▲ | $35,595 | +$12,512 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 130,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $24,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($53,398 vs $42,473 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% 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.