Dental Hygienist Salary in Oxnard, CA: $132,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Oxnard, CA earns a median $132,781/year (≈ $63.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Oxnard's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 110.5), that paycheck buys what $120,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Oxnard, California, reflects a robust outlook for dental hygienists, with approximately 500 professionals currently employed in the area. The projected median annual salary for 2026 will be $132,781, significantly higher than the national median of $102,946, presenting an opportunity for dental hygienists seeking competitive pay. Salaries in this market range from $113,209 at the lower end (P10) to $134,628 at the upper end (P90), a spread that highlights the varied compensation options across different practice settings. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a strong demand for dental hygienists in Oxnard and suggesting a favorable employment environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $113,209 | $54.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,423 | $62.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,781 | $63.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,673 | $64.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,628 | $64.73 |
Median Salary Position
28.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxnard
In Oxnard, CA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,419 (2026 est.). At $132,781, the local median is 28.98% above the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Oxnard: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Oxnard Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Oxnard median: $132,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oxnard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $129,922 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +28.98% more |
Dental Hygienists in Oxnard, CA earn a median of $132,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.98% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.20% above the California state average of $129,922.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oxnard has a cost of living 10.53% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oxnard, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.534 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,781 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,127 — a 9.53% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$116,080
2025 BLS Actual
$126,530
2026 Current Est.
$132,781
2020–2027 Growth
+20.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oxnard (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $116,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,340 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oxnard metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 9.0% from $116,080 (2020) to $126,530 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,260 (20.04%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxnard 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) | $113,209 – $129,423 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,423 – $132,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,781 – $133,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,673 – $134,628 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Oxnard
In examining the local market, the cost of living index in Oxnard stands at 110.534, which indicates that while salaries are higher than the national average, living expenses are also elevated. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists should consider working in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often provide the most competitive compensation packages, including production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and sign-on offers. Alternatively, employment in pediatric offices or periodontal practices may also enhance pay. Those searching for the best opportunities should consider their working hours, as positions offering shorter schedules may not always yield the highest remuneration. Furthermore, reviewing benefits is crucial; private practices may lack comprehensive health insurance, while DSOs tend to offer robust benefits. By strategically navigating these factors, dental hygienists can capitalize on the promising salary landscape in Oxnard, CA.
More salary data for Oxnard, 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 $126,530 for dental hygienistsin the Oxnard 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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