Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$79,000 vs $61,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$42,473 vs $47,656
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$35,595 vs $42,097
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000▲ | $61,000 | +$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830▲ | $46,970 | +$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120▲ | $78,080 | +$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400▲ | $97,600 | +$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,473 | $47,656▲ | -$5,183 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,207▲ | $53,884 | +$12,323 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,595 | $42,097▲ | -$6,502 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 70,000 | +60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $61,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($42,473 vs $47,656 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.