Dental Hygienist Pay

Jenks vs Lawton: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Jenks, OK and Lawton, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jenks, OK
$87,388
$42.02/hr
Lawton, OK
$96,765
$46.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJenks, OKLawton, OK
Median Salary$87,388$96,765
Hourly Rate$42.02$46.52
Entry Level (P10)$69,932$76,858
25th Percentile$75,361$89,724
75th Percentile$93,931$100,386
Top Earner (P90)$104,911$118,876
Total Employed470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jenks ($87,388) and Lawton ($96,765) dental hygienist salaries.JenksLawtonMedian Salary$87,388$96,765Entry Level (P10)$69,932$76,858Top Earner (P90)$104,911$118,876US Median $102,946

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jenks.

The salary gap between Jenks and Lawton is $9,377 (10.73%). Lawton's median is -6.00% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jenks spans $34,979,Lawton spans $42,018. Lawton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Jenks
P10 (Entry)$69,932
P25$75,361
Median$87,388
P75$93,931
P90 (Top)$104,911
Lawton
P10 (Entry)$76,858
P25$89,724
Median$96,765
P75$100,386
P90 (Top)$118,876

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($112,595 effective) pays 14.54% more than Jenks ($98,299 effective).

Jenks
Nominal: $87,388
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $98,299
Lawton
Nominal: $96,765
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $112,595

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jenks if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,765/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,876)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,595)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Jenks grew 10.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Lawton over the same period.

Jenks, OK

+10.8%

$75,190 (2020) → $83,274 (2025)

Lawton, OK

+34.1%

$68,780 (2020) → $92,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Jenks or Lawton?

Lawton has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $96,765/year, compared to Jenks at $87,388/year — a difference of $9,377 (10.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jenks and Lawton?

Jenks dental hygienists earn $42.02/hr while Lawton hygienists earn $46.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jenks to Lawton as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jenks and Lawton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jenks = $98,299, Lawton = $112,595), job availability (4 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Jenks vs Lawton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $69,932 in Jenks and $76,858 in Lawton. The Lawton 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