Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$42,763 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$35,838 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $79,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $60,830▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $101,120▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $126,400▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,763▲ | $42,473 | +$290 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,474 | $66,207▲ | -$11,733 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,838▲ | $35,595 | +$243 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 130,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($42,763 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.