Dental Hygienists pay range in Merced
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $102,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $130,100 or more. The middle half of dental hygienists in Merced earn between $105,930 and $126,690.
- $103K10th
- $106K25th
- $117KMedian
- $127K75th
- $130K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $117,540 | $9,795 | $56.51 |
| Median | $117,400 | $9,783 | $56.44 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $105,930 | $8,828 | $50.93 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $126,690 | $10,558 | $60.91 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Dental Hygienists pay in Merced vs. California and the U.S.
Dental hygienists in Merced earn 8% less than the California average ($128,110) and 19% more than the U.S. average ($98,990). At the median the gap is +20% against the U.S. median of $98,100.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced | $117,540 | $117,400 | $102,760 | $130,100 | 100 |
| California | $128,110 | $124,930 | $102,090 | $151,920 | 24,500 |
| United States | $98,990 | $98,100 | $74,880 | $126,050 | 222,740 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Dental Hygienists salary after taxes in Merced
On the average salary of $117,540, a single filer in Merced takes home about $84,680 a year, or $7,057 a month and $3,257 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Merced a good place for dental hygienists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Merced area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.3), so the average $117,540 buys what about $119,603 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Merced ($47,220). A typical home costs $419,171, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Dental Hygienists salary in other California cities
Merced ranks 16th of 25 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($180,520).
- San Francisco$180,520
- San Jose$142,850
- Santa Rosa$137,050
- Napa$131,610
- Santa Maria$130,790
- Santa Cruz$129,740
- San Luis Obispo$129,690
- Vallejo$126,900
- Oxnard$123,800
- Merced$117,540
Highest-paying cities for dental hygienists
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($180,520).
- San Francisco, CA$180,520
- San Jose, CA$142,850
- Seattle, WA$141,230
- Santa Rosa, CA$137,050
- Napa, CA$131,610
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Dental Hygienists salary in Merced: questions
How much do dental hygienists make an hour in Merced?
$56.51 an hour on average, and $56.44 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level dental hygienists salary in Merced?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $102,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $105,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the dental hygienists take-home pay in Merced?
About $84,680 a year ($7,057 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $117,540. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do dental hygienists earn more in Merced than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% more than the U.S. average for this job ($98,990).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1292; area Merced, CA (32900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.