Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City, UT and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$54,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$48,214 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$42,479 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $79,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $60,830▲ | -$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $101,120▲ | -$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $126,400▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 9.3% | -4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,214▲ | $42,473 | +$5,741 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,576 | $66,207▲ | -$18,631 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,479▲ | $35,595 | +$6,884 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 130,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $25,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($48,214 vs $42,473 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.