Dental Hygienist Pay

Houston vs Weatherford: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr
Weatherford, TX
$93,300
$44.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXWeatherford, TX
Median Salary$110,114$93,300
Hourly Rate$52.94$44.85
Entry Level (P10)$89,776$70,458
25th Percentile$104,121$83,488
75th Percentile$112,496$100,515
Top Earner (P90)$113,954$113,354
Total Employed3,0609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($110,114) and Weatherford ($93,300) dental hygienist salaries.HoustonWeatherfordMedian Salary$110,114$93,300Entry Level (P10)$89,776$70,458Top Earner (P90)$113,954$113,354US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Weatherford is $16,814 (18.02%). 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,Weatherford spans $42,896. Weatherford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$89,776
P25$104,121
Median$110,114
P75$112,496
P90 (Top)$113,954
Weatherford
P10 (Entry)$70,458
P25$83,488
Median$93,300
P75$100,515
P90 (Top)$113,354

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,645 effective) pays 14.88% more than Weatherford ($97,188 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $110,114
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,645
Weatherford
Nominal: $93,300
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $97,188

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 Weatherford 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 16.1% growth in Weatherford over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

Weatherford, TX

+16.1%

$76,561 (2020) → $88,908 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Houston or Weatherford?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Weatherford at $93,300/year — a difference of $16,814 (18.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Weatherford?

Houston dental hygienists earn $52.94/hr while Weatherford hygienists earn $44.85/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Weatherford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $111,645, Weatherford = $97,188), job availability (3,060 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,776 in Houston and $70,458 in Weatherford. 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