Dental Hygienist Pay

Austin vs Grapevine: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Austin, TX and Grapevine, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$110,691
$53.22/hr
Grapevine, TX
$93,038
$44.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXGrapevine, TX
Median Salary$110,691$93,038
Hourly Rate$53.22$44.73
Entry Level (P10)$60,991$72,165
25th Percentile$99,305$79,423
75th Percentile$125,603$104,637
Top Earner (P90)$126,369$121,786
Total Employed1,27012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($110,691) and Grapevine ($93,038) dental hygienist salaries.AustinGrapevineMedian Salary$110,691$93,038Entry Level (P10)$60,991$72,165Top Earner (P90)$126,369$121,786US Median $102,946

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grapevine.

The salary gap between Austin and Grapevine is $17,653 (18.97%). Austin's median is +7.52% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $65,378,Grapevine spans $49,621. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$60,991
P25$99,305
Median$110,691
P75$125,603
P90 (Top)$126,369
Grapevine
P10 (Entry)$72,165
P25$79,423
Median$93,038
P75$104,637
P90 (Top)$121,786

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($112,874 effective) pays 16.47% more than Grapevine ($96,915 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $110,691
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $112,874
Grapevine
Nominal: $93,038
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $96,915

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,691/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,369)
  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,874)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Grapevine if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Austin grew 33.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Grapevine over the same period.

Austin, TX

+33.3%

$79,110 (2020) → $105,480 (2025)

Grapevine, TX

+16.1%

$76,345 (2020) → $88,658 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Austin or Grapevine?

Austin has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,691/year, compared to Grapevine at $93,038/year — a difference of $17,653 (18.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Grapevine?

Austin dental hygienists earn $53.22/hr while Grapevine hygienists earn $44.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Grapevine as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Grapevine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $112,874, Grapevine = $96,915), job availability (1,270 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Austin vs Grapevine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $60,991 in Austin and $72,165 in Grapevine. The Grapevine area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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