Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Denton, TX: $45.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Denton, TX runs $45.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,312 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Denton's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,192 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Denton, TX, dental hygienists can expect a median hourly pay of $45.83, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This rate offers various opportunities for part-time workers who typically operate in general dentistry settings, pediatric offices, and public health clinics. A dental hygienist working three days a week would find this hourly rate appealing, especially since it translates effectively into manageable weekly earnings. For entry-level professionals, starting rates hover around $35.14, while experienced hygienists may earn up to $59.86, illustrating a wide range of compensation options based on experience and workplace setting.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.14 | $281.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.95 | $311.63 |
| Median (P50) | $45.83 | $366.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.27 | $418.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.86 | $478.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denton
Based on $45.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.83/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denton, TX can expect to earn approximately $95,321 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,993. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Denton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,833.09 | $7,943 | $95,321 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,099.86 | $4,766 | $57,192 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $733.24 | $3,177 | $38,128 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Denton) | $45.83 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.83/hr = $57,192/year (purchasing power: $59,575).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,321/year (purchasing power: $99,292).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$37.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.83/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Denton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Denton grew 16.1% from $37.60/hr (2020) to $43.67/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Denton
Part-time dental hygienists working 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $57,718 annually, a stark contrast to full-time counterparts who benefit from more stabilized annual earnings. Many choose per diem roles, which are prevalent in Denton, with typical pay ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, influenced by demand and the specific work setting. Those in private practice may see different compensation levels compared to hygienists employed by Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty clinics. The decision to accept a lower hourly pay for added benefits like health insurance is common, especially among those prioritizing job security. To negotiate effectively in the Denton market, it is advisable for professionals to prepare by researching employer compensation trends and articulating their value in a clinical setting.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Denton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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