Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Little Elm, TX: $44.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Little Elm, TX runs $44.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Little Elm's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,804 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Little Elm, Texas, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay stands at $44.71, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $49.49 for the same profession. This hourly rate has implications for both part-time and per-diem workers, who frequently operate in settings such as general dentistry clinics, periodontal specialty suites, pediatric offices, and public health initiatives. For entry-level dental hygienists, starting rates begin at approximately $33.54, while experienced professionals can earn up to $54.17 per hour. The available figures are drawn from annual salary data, providing a solid foundation for understanding the potential earning capacity tailored to hourly work arrangements.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.54 | $268.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.85 | $318.77 |
| Median (P50) | $44.71 | $357.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.95 | $383.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.17 | $433.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Elm
Based on $44.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.71/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Elm, TX can expect to earn approximately $93,007 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,658. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Elm.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Elm
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,788.60 | $7,751 | $93,007 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,073.16 | $4,650 | $55,804 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $715.44 | $3,100 | $37,203 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Little Elm) | $44.71 |
| 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 Little Elm, TX earn a median of $93,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.65% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $95,887.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.71/hr = $55,804/year (purchasing power: $58,129).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,007/year (purchasing power: $96,882).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.71/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Little Elm (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Little Elm grew 16.1% from $36.69/hr (2020) to $42.61/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.92/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 Little Elm 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 Little Elm
Exploring the part-time earning potential for a dental hygienist working three days a week in Little Elm reveals significant differences in annual income compared to full-time positions. A 24-hour workweek could yield around $55,578 in a year, which is a reasonable figure for those seeking a balance between work and personal life. On the other hand, per diem dental hygienist pay in Little Elm often ranges from $40 to $60 per hour through various temp agencies, contrasting sharply with the more stable yet potentially lower earnings of standard employment. Different employer types also present varying hourly rates; independent offices may offer less than larger Dental Service Organizations or pediatric specialty practices, which might provide additional incentives like benefits or sign-on bonuses. While some may opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance and job security, others may pursue higher hourly wages without benefits for greater financial flexibility. For those negotiating in Little Elm, it’s valuable to assess the overall compensation package rather than focusing solely on the hour rate when considering job opportunities.
More salary data for Little Elm, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Little Elm in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Little Elm?
Are dental hygienists in Little Elm paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Little Elm?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Little Elm?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Little Elm. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Little Elm is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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