Dental Hygienist Pay

Los Angeles vs Lynwood: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Lynwood, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$129,055
$62.04/hr
Lynwood, CA
$125,391
$60.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CALynwood, CA
Median Salary$129,055$125,391
Hourly Rate$62.04$60.29
Entry Level (P10)$59,606$96,168
25th Percentile$112,884$106,222
75th Percentile$137,020$137,461
Top Earner (P90)$144,093$158,197
Total Employed7,94016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($129,055) and Lynwood ($125,391) dental hygienist salaries.Los AngelesLynwoodMedian Salary$129,055$125,391Entry Level (P10)$59,606$96,168Top Earner (P90)$144,093$158,197US Median $102,946

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lynwood.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Lynwood is $3,664 (2.92%). Los Angeles's median is +25.36% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $84,487,Lynwood spans $62,029. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$59,606
P25$112,884
Median$129,055
P75$137,020
P90 (Top)$144,093
Lynwood
P10 (Entry)$96,168
P25$106,222
Median$125,391
P75$137,461
P90 (Top)$158,197

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($113,639 effective) pays 2.50% more than Lynwood ($110,867 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $129,055
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $113,639
Lynwood
Nominal: $125,391
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $110,867

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,055/year)
  • Larger job market (7,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,639)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Lynwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($158,197)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Los Angeles grew 11.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Lynwood over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+11.5%

$110,250 (2020) → $122,980 (2025)

Lynwood, CA

+12.5%

$106,194 (2020) → $119,488 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Los Angeles or Lynwood?

Los Angeles has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $129,055/year, compared to Lynwood at $125,391/year — a difference of $3,664 (2.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Lynwood?

Los Angeles dental hygienists earn $62.04/hr while Lynwood hygienists earn $60.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Lynwood as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Lynwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $113,639, Lynwood = $110,867), job availability (7,940 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Los Angeles vs Lynwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $59,606 in Los Angeles and $96,168 in Lynwood. The Lynwood 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