Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$77,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$47,531 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$43,919 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $77,000 | $79,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,290 | $60,830▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $98,560 | $101,120▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $123,200 | $126,400▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,531▲ | $42,473 | +$5,058 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,148▲ | $66,207 | +$4,941 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,919▲ | $35,595 | +$8,324 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 130,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $77,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($47,531 vs $42,473 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.