Dental Hygienist Pay

Baytown vs Dallas: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Baytown, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baytown, TX
$95,368
$45.85/hr
Dallas, TX
$106,902
$51.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$95,368$106,902
Hourly Rate$45.85$51.40
Entry Level (P10)$70,092$52,669
25th Percentile$78,501$93,648
75th Percentile$104,347$122,150
Top Earner (P90)$119,984$125,991
Total Employed167,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($95,368) and Dallas ($106,902) dental hygienist salaries.BaytownDallasMedian Salary$95,368$106,902Entry Level (P10)$70,092$52,669Top Earner (P90)$119,984$125,991US Median $102,946

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and Dallas is $11,534 (12.09%). Dallas's median is +3.84% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $49,892,Dallas spans $73,322. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$70,092
P25$78,501
Median$95,368
P75$104,347
P90 (Top)$119,984
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$52,669
P25$93,648
Median$106,902
P75$122,150
P90 (Top)$125,991

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($103,698 effective) pays 4.38% more than Baytown ($99,342 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $95,368
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $99,342
Dallas
Nominal: $106,902
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $103,698

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,991)
  • Larger job market (7,050 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,698)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Baytown grew 16.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.7% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+16.1%

$78,258 (2020) → $90,879 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+21.7%

$83,680 (2020) → $101,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Baytown or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,902/year, compared to Baytown at $95,368/year — a difference of $11,534 (12.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Dallas?

Baytown dental hygienists earn $45.85/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $51.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Dallas as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $99,342, Dallas = $103,698), job availability (16 vs 7,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Baytown vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $70,092 in Baytown and $52,669 in Dallas. The Baytown 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