Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$79,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$42,473 vs $43,210
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$35,595 vs $37,930
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000▲ | $70,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830▲ | $53,900 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120▲ | $89,600 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400▲ | $112,000 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,473 | $43,210▲ | -$737 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,207▲ | $61,446 | +$4,761 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,595 | $37,930▲ | -$2,335 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 105,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $9,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($42,473 vs $43,210 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.