Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Washington, DC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,000 vs $79,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$44,737 vs $42,473
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$38,650 vs $35,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000 | $79,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360 | $60,830▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040 | $101,120▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800 | $126,400▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 9.3% | -2.8000000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,737▲ | $42,473 | +$2,264 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,748 | $66,207▲ | -$7,459 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,650▲ | $35,595 | +$3,055 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 130,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $11,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $79,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($44,737 vs $42,473 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% 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.