Dental Hygienist Pay

Houston vs Sherman: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr
Sherman, TX
$102,873
$49.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSherman, TX
Median Salary$110,114$102,873
Hourly Rate$52.94$49.46
Entry Level (P10)$89,776$85,033
25th Percentile$104,121$85,033
75th Percentile$112,496$107,899
Top Earner (P90)$113,954$107,899
Total Employed3,060130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($110,114) and Sherman ($102,873) dental hygienist salaries.HoustonShermanMedian Salary$110,114$102,873Entry Level (P10)$89,776$85,033Top Earner (P90)$113,954$107,899US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Sherman is $7,241 (7.04%). Houston's median is +6.96% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $24,178,Sherman spans $22,866. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$89,776
P25$104,121
Median$110,114
P75$112,496
P90 (Top)$113,954
Sherman
P10 (Entry)$85,033
P25$85,033
Median$102,873
P75$107,899
P90 (Top)$107,899

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,645 effective) pays 1.77% more than Sherman ($109,707 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $110,114
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,645
Sherman
Nominal: $102,873
CoL Index: 93.771
Adjusted: $109,707

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,114/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,954)
  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,645)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sherman if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Houston grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in Sherman over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

Sherman, TX

+11.7%

$87,760 (2020) → $98,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Houston or Sherman?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Sherman at $102,873/year — a difference of $7,241 (7.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Sherman?

Houston dental hygienists earn $52.94/hr while Sherman hygienists earn $49.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Sherman as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Sherman. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $111,645, Sherman = $109,707), job availability (3,060 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Houston vs Sherman?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,776 in Houston and $85,033 in Sherman. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

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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