Dental Hygienist Salary in Waco, TX: $100,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Waco, TX earns a median $100,050/year (≈ $48.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $108,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a dental hygienist in Waco, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $100,050, which is slightly below the national average of $102,946. The salary range for this occupation in the area indicates that entry-level dental hygienists earn approximately $84,959, while experienced professionals may see salaries as high as $105,496. This data is sourced from BLS OEWS surveys, projecting Waco's compensation scenario for dental hygienists, showcasing both the competitive nature of the job market and its alignment with the broader trends seen across the state. Given Waco's cost of living index of 92.55, dental hygienist pay in Waco TX remains an attractive proposition for those entering the field, considering the affordability of the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,959 | $40.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,688 | $42.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,883 | $49.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,496 | $50.72 |
Median Salary Position
2.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,537 (2026 est.). At $100,050, the local median is 2.81% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be above the median
How Waco Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Waco median: $100,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,833 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -2.81% less |
Dental Hygienists in Waco, TX earn a median of $100,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.40% above the Texas state average of $95,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $100,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,550
2025 BLS Actual
$95,340
2026 Current Est.
$100,050
2020–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Waco (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,992 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.9% from $74,550 (2020) to $95,340 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,442 (40.83%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $84,959 – $87,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,688 – $100,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,050 – $102,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,883 – $105,496 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Waco
The local job market for dental hygienists in Waco is relatively robust, with about 150 professionals currently employed in the industry. However, the cost-of-living situation, where the index sits below the national average, enhances the take-home purchasing power for individuals in this profession. When evaluating which types of employers offer competitive wages, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen tend to provide the highest compensation packages. Factors influencing salary disparities include production-based bonuses associated with periodontal care, as well as differences in weekly work hours and benefits provided by private practices versus DSOs. For those seeking to maximize their dental hygienist pay Waco TX level, aligning with larger organizations that offer full benefits and potential bonuses can be advantageous, especially as the profession continues to evolve with emerging trends in healthcare structures.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $95,340 for dental hygienistsin the Waco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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