How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Texas in 2026?

A typical Dental Hygienist in Texas earns about $47.71 per hour ($99,240 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $8,270 a month or $1,908 a week. That puts Texas hygienists in a solid position among the state's many healthcare occupations.

That figure sits about 1% above the national typical pay of $98,100 for the same role, according to the same May 2025 data. Texas ranks 17th among all 50 states for Dental Hygienist pay, a solid middle-upper standing. With 16,380 Dental Hygienists working across the state, Texas offers one of the larger workforces in the country for this role.

Entry-level positions in Texas typically offer around $34.39 an hour, or about $71,530 a year, for Dental Hygienists just starting out. Pay tends to rise as hygienists gain experience and build a steady patient base. Within a few years, many reach the typical pay level of $47.71 an hour. Setting and location both play a role in how quickly that happens.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Texas often earn upwards of $51.60 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $56.68 an hour, or $117,890 a year. That leaves a spread of $46,360 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Practice setting, years on the job, and which Texas city a hygienist works in all factor into where someone lands on that range.

Texas Dental Hygienist pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $72,700 in 2015 to $99,240 in 2025. That's a gain of $26,540, or 37%, over ten years. Growth was gradual through the late 2010s, then accelerated sharply between 2022 and 2025, when pay jumped from $79,660 to $99,240.

That 37% rise is just ahead of the 36% gain recorded nationally over the same ten years. Texas hygienists have kept pace with, and slightly outpaced, the broader national trend. For someone starting out now, pay in this field has moved up steadily in recent years, though past growth is no guarantee of future increases.

Pay runs highest in the Austin metro area (which includes Round Rock and San Marcos), where Dental Hygienists typically earn $105,480 a year, or $50.71 an hour, about 6% above the statewide figure. The Houston metro area, covering The Woodlands and Pasadena, follows closely at $104,930 a year. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Arlington, pays $101,870 a year.

At the other end, Dental Hygienists in the Longview metro area typically earn $81,920 a year, or $39.39 an hour, the lowest figure among Texas metros tracked. That's a spread of $23,560 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. Arlington, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state at 7,050 workers. Higher pay in Austin and Houston generally comes with a higher cost of living.

Compared with its neighbors, Texas pays more than all four bordering states. Oklahoma comes closest, at $97,580 a year, about 2% below Texas, while Louisiana trails furthest at $85,240, about 14% lower. New Mexico ($95,940) and Arkansas ($86,760) fall in between. Dental hygiene licenses can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Dental Hygienists in Texas typically earn $99,240 a year, or $47.71 an hour, a figure that has risen 37% over the past decade and now sits slightly above the national typical pay. Pay varies by city, from Austin's $105,480 down to Longview's $81,920. Readers considering this path in Texas should check the state licensing board for current requirements and review city-specific pages for local pay figures.