Dental Hygienist Salary in University Park, TX: $90,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in University Park, TX earns a median $90,811/year (≈ $43.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in University Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $94,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University Park, Texas, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $90,811 as projected for 2026. This figure reveals a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $102,946, indicating a potential challenge in attracting top talent given the local pay scale. The salary range for these professionals extends from $71,446 at the 10th percentile to $113,309 at the 90th percentile, which underscores the varying compensation based on experience and workplace setting. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, reflecting the cost of living in the area, which may impact overall purchasing power. With just five dental hygienists currently employed in the region, it suggests a tight job market that may benefit those looking to enter this field.
About the University Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,446 | $34.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,422 | $37.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,811 | $43.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,993 | $48.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,309 | $54.47 |
Median Salary Position
11.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Park
In University Park, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,863 (2026 est.). At $90,811, the local median is 11.79% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Park Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
University Park median: $90,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,893 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.79% less |
Dental Hygienists in University Park, TX earn a median of $90,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Texas state average of $95,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Park 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.
University Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $90,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,518
2025 BLS Actual
$86,536
2026 Current Est.
$90,811
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in University Park (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,518 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,816 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,901 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,297 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Park metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $74,518 (2020) to $86,536 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,297 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,779 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Park 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) | $71,446 – $77,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,422 – $90,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,811 – $99,993 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,993 – $113,309 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in University Park
Evaluating the local dental hygienist job market reveals both challenges and opportunities for prospective professionals. Currently, there are only a handful of dental hygienists working in University Park, suggesting that the market could be relatively scarce, thereby providing leverage for qualified candidates. The cost-of-living index in University Park stands at 96, slightly below the national average, which indicates that while salaries may lag slightly behind national figures, the overall purchasing power could remain stable for residents. Employment at multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often yields higher compensation, potentially including production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits that private practices may not offer. For example, those willing to align their scheduling with patient needs may benefit from practices that offer both better pay structures and extensive benefits packages. Therefore, choosing the right employer and strategy can significantly enhance dental hygienist pay in University Park, TX.
More salary data for University Park, 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 $86,536 for dental hygienistsin the University Park 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 University Park 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