Dental Hygienist Salary in Denton, TX: $95,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Denton, TX earns a median $95,312/year (≈ $45.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $99,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Denton, Texas can expect to earn a median annual salary of $95,312, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946, reflecting a difference of about 7.42%. The salary range for this profession in Denton is projected between $73,090 at the 10th percentile and $124,505 at the 90th percentile, offering significant variation depending on experience and workplace setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors. With 33 dental hygienists employed in the area, the job market appears stable, presenting opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals looking to advance their careers.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,024 | $38.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,312 | $45.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,733 | $52.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,505 | $59.86 |
Median Salary Position
7.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,415 (2026 est.). At $95,312, the local median is 7.42% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Denton median: $95,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,887 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -7.42% less |
Dental Hygienists in Denton, TX earn a median of $95,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.42% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $95,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $95,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,283 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$78,212
2025 BLS Actual
$90,825
2026 Current Est.
$95,312
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Denton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,212 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,341 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,825 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,020 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $78,212 (2020) to $90,825 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,020 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,808 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $73,090 – $81,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,024 – $95,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,312 – $108,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,733 – $124,505 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Denton
For those considering a career in dental hygiene in Denton, understanding the local job market dynamics is crucial. The cost of living index in Denton is 96, suggesting that while salaries are slightly below the national average, the purchasing power remains viable for many professionals. Top-paying employers often include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which typically offer benefits such as production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives that enhance overall compensation. Factors driving the disparity between lower and higher salaries can include the variety of employment types—such as solo practices versus DSOs—and scheduling preferences, with 4-day work weeks often yielding a better work-life balance. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Denton should actively seek opportunities in DSOs or explore the benefits of negotiating for better pay and benefits packages in private practices.
More salary data for Denton, TX:
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 $90,825 for dental hygienistsin the Denton 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
Salary data for Denton 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