Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in College Station, TX: $48.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in College Station, TX runs $48.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against College Station's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,611 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In College Station, TX, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay is $48.57, which positions it slightly below the national average of $49.49. For dental hygienists working part-time, such as those in general dentistry offices or public health clinics, this hourly rate translates into a viable income, especially when considering a schedule of three days a week. Rates for entry-level positions start at around $40.13, while experienced professionals can earn up to $50.51 per hour in more specialized settings like pediatric practices or periodontal suites. The diverse environments available for dental hygienists—ranging from community health initiatives to corporate Dental Service Organizations—afford varying compensation levels, reflecting local market dynamics as per official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.13 | $321.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.55 | $332.37 |
| Median (P50) | $48.57 | $388.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.36 | $394.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.51 | $404.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in College Station
Based on $48.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.57/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in College Station, TX can expect to earn approximately $101,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,279. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in College Station.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in College Station
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,942.65 | $8,418 | $101,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,165.59 | $5,051 | $60,611 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $777.06 | $3,367 | $40,407 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (College Station) | $48.57 |
| 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 College Station, TX earn a median of $101,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.40% above the Texas state average of $95,840.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.57/hr = $60,611/year (purchasing power: $66,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,018/year (purchasing power: $111,068).
CoL index: 90.951 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.57/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+55.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in College Station (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in College Station grew 41.1% from $32.80/hr (2020) to $46.28/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.97/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 College Station 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 College Station
Considering the part-time employment model, a dental hygienist who works 24 hours a week would earn approximately $56,814 annually, significantly less than if they were working the full-time equivalent. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, agency pay often ranges from $40 to $60 per hour, with some areas commanding higher rates due to demand. However, travel hygienist contracts are less common compared to nursing roles, limiting options for those seeking mobility or adventure. In College Station, the pay varies widely depending on the type of employer; private practices often have different compensation structures compared to DSOs and public entities. Many hygienists may accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Practical negotiation tips suggest highlighting experience and adapting to employer needs, which can help secure better hourly rates in a competitive market. The evolving landscape of dental hygiene in Texas presents various options for both full-time and part-time workers seeking to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for College Station, 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 College Station. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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