Dental Hygienist Salary in Brea, CA: $123,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brea, CA earns a median $123,251/year (≈ $59.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $108,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $123,251 in 2026. This figure indicates a robust compensation landscape, significantly surpassing the national median of $102,946 by nearly 19.72%. The salary range for this profession in Brea spans from $97,955 at the 10th percentile to $155,633 at the 90th percentile, revealing a wide scope of earning potential based on experience and employment setting. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, highlight Brea's competitive job market for dental hygienists, especially with a growing demand in healthcare roles.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,955 | $47.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,481 | $51.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,251 | $59.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,277 | $65.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,633 | $74.82 |
Median Salary Position
19.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,678 (2026 est.). At $123,251, the local median is 19.72% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brea median: $123,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,875 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +19.72% more |
Dental Hygienists in Brea, CA earn a median of $123,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.72% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 5.10% below the California state average of $129,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,251 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,975 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$104,382
2025 BLS Actual
$117,449
2026 Current Est.
$123,251
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brea (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $104,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,292 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,340 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.5% from $104,382 (2020) to $117,449 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,958 (23.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $97,955 – $106,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,481 – $123,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,251 – $136,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,277 – $155,633 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brea
Employment opportunities in Brea's dental hygiene sector currently see about 10 professionals, which reflects a relatively small but potentially lucrative job pool. The city’s cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are attractive, the increased living expenses must be factored into overall purchasing power. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Pacific Dental typically offer the best salaries, frequently adding sign-on bonuses that can enhance initial pay. The disparity in pay scales can be attributed to various factors including production-based bonuses, differing work schedules, and the benefits provided by DSOs compared to private practices. For maximizing earnings in Brea, dental hygienists should consider aligning with employers that offer comprehensive packages and exploring opportunities for additional training that may lead to higher-paying specialized roles within the field.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $117,449 for dental hygienistsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov