Dental Hygienist Pay

Shreveport vs Slidell: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Shreveport, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$86,848
$41.76/hr
Slidell, LA
$90,164
$43.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$86,848$90,164
Hourly Rate$41.76$43.35
Entry Level (P10)$63,688$64,727
25th Percentile$85,348$85,820
75th Percentile$96,639$101,194
Top Earner (P90)$104,289$102,726
Total Employed260230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($86,848) and Slidell ($90,164) dental hygienist salaries.ShreveportSlidellMedian Salary$86,848$90,164Entry Level (P10)$63,688$64,727Top Earner (P90)$104,289$102,726US Median $102,946

Verdict

Shreveport and Slidell are closely matched on overall dental hygienist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Slidell is $3,316 (3.82%). Slidell's median is -12.42% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $40,601,Slidell spans $37,999. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$63,688
P25$85,348
Median$86,848
P75$96,639
P90 (Top)$104,289
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$64,727
P25$85,820
Median$90,164
P75$101,194
P90 (Top)$102,726

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($102,456 effective) pays 5.37% more than Slidell ($97,237 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $86,848
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $102,456
Slidell
Nominal: $90,164
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $97,237

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,289)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,456)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,164/year)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Shreveport grew 37.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Slidell over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+37.3%

$60,270 (2020) → $82,760 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+20.0%

$71,623 (2020) → $85,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Shreveport or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $90,164/year, compared to Shreveport at $86,848/year — a difference of $3,316 (3.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Slidell?

Shreveport dental hygienists earn $41.76/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $43.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Slidell as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $102,456, Slidell = $97,237), job availability (260 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Shreveport vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $63,688 in Shreveport and $64,727 in Slidell. The Slidell area offers higher starting salaries.
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