Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Burbank, CA: $61.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Burbank, CA runs $61.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,302 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Burbank's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,981 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist hourly pay in Burbank, California, is projected to reach a median of $61.68, significantly surpassing the national median of $49.49. This higher hourly rate reflects Burbank's cost of living and demand for qualified dental hygienists across various settings, including general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty suites, and public health clinics. For those opting for part-time work, such as a typical three-day-a-week schedule, this hourly wage can equate to substantial earnings while allowing flexibility. Entry-level hygienists can expect to earn around $44.65, progressing up to $79.74 for top earners in the area. These hourly rates are informed by estimated annual salaries but illustrate the potential for varied compensation based on experience and work settings.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($114,567) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.65 | $357.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.61 | $404.90 |
| Median (P50) | $61.68 | $493.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.50 | $548.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.74 | $637.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burbank
Based on $61.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.68/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burbank, CA can expect to earn approximately $128,302 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,020. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burbank.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burbank
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,467.35 | $10,692 | $128,302 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,480.41 | $6,415 | $76,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $986.94 | $4,277 | $51,321 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Burbank) | $61.68 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Burbank, CA earn a median of $128,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.63% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% below the California state average of $129,860.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.68/hr = $76,981/year (purchasing power: $68,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,302/year (purchasing power: $113,441).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$52.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.68/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burbank (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $52.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burbank grew 12.5% from $52.24/hr (2020) to $58.78/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.73/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Burbank
Analysing the pay structure reveals interesting facets for dental hygienists in Burbank, particularly for those looking at part-time versus full-time positions. A dental hygienist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) at the median rate can still generate meaningful income, contrasting with the earnings of full-time counterparts. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Burbank ranges significantly; while temp agencies might offer between $40-60 an hour, the high cost of living in California could incentivize agencies to push rates even higher, particularly in urban centers. Compensation often varies across employer types, with solo practices sometimes offering less than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which may provide benefits alongside competitive pay but could also demand a lower hourly rate. As many dental hygienists face the strategic choice of accepting lower hourly pay for the sake of job security and health benefits, negotiating rates effectively becomes essential. Professionals in this field should strive to balance hourly compensation with their long-term career goals, ensuring their time is compensated fairly in the competitive Burbank market.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burbank in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Burbank?
Are dental hygienists in Burbank paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Burbank?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Burbank?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Burbank. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank 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