Dental Hygienist Pay

Clovis vs San Francisco: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Clovis, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clovis, CA
$132,983
$63.93/hr
San Francisco, CA
$154,010
$74.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClovis, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$132,983$154,010
Hourly Rate$63.93$74.05
Entry Level (P10)$97,606$114,867
25th Percentile$109,737$136,632
75th Percentile$145,597$162,573
Top Earner (P90)$167,680$164,315
Total Employed193,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clovis ($132,983) and San Francisco ($154,010) dental hygienist salaries.ClovisSan FranciscoMedian Salary$132,983$154,010Entry Level (P10)$97,606$114,867Top Earner (P90)$167,680$164,315US Median $102,946

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Clovis.

The salary gap between Clovis and San Francisco is $21,027 (15.81%). San Francisco's median is +49.60% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clovis spans $70,074,San Francisco spans $49,448. Clovis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clovis
P10 (Entry)$97,606
P25$109,737
Median$132,983
P75$145,597
P90 (Top)$167,680
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$114,867
P25$136,632
Median$154,010
P75$162,573
P90 (Top)$164,315

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($133,212 effective) pays 13.29% more than Clovis ($117,580 effective).

Clovis
Nominal: $132,983
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $117,580
San Francisco
Nominal: $154,010
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $133,212

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clovis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($167,680)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($154,010/year)
  • Larger job market (3,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,212)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Clovis grew 12.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Clovis, CA

+12.5%

$112,624 (2020) → $126,723 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+23.3%

$119,060 (2020) → $146,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Clovis or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $154,010/year, compared to Clovis at $132,983/year — a difference of $21,027 (15.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clovis and San Francisco?

Clovis dental hygienists earn $63.93/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $74.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clovis to San Francisco as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clovis and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clovis = $117,580, San Francisco = $133,212), job availability (19 vs 3,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Clovis vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $97,606 in Clovis and $114,867 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov