Dental Hygienist Salary in Richardson, TX: $97,039 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Richardson, TX earns a median $97,039/year (≈ $46.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $101,082 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The dental hygienist salary in Richardson, TX, has solidified its competitive standing within the job market, with a projected median annual salary of $97,039 for 2026. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area varies significantly, from a lower earnings threshold of $69,519 up to $123,752 for those at the top end of the scale. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, reflect adjustments based on local and regional cost conditions. Given that there are currently 24 dental hygienists employed in Richardson, this relatively low number may suggest a balanced market with opportunities for growth, especially as demand for oral health services continues to rise.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,519 | $33.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,039 | $46.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,071 | $51.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,752 | $59.50 |
Median Salary Position
5.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,233 (2026 est.). At $97,039, the local median is 5.74% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be above the median
How Richardson Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Richardson median: $97,039/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,888 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -5.74% less |
Dental Hygienists in Richardson, TX earn a median of $97,039 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $95,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $97,039 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,082 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$79,629
2025 BLS Actual
$92,471
2026 Current Est.
$97,039
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richardson (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $79,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,797 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,471 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,039 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,833 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $79,629 (2020) to $92,471 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,833 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,204 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,519 – $84,550 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,550 – $97,039 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,039 – $107,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,071 – $123,752 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Richardson
In Richardson, the cost-of-living index is notably below the national average at 96, which enhances the real-world purchasing power of dental hygienists. This financial benefit can make the area particularly appealing for professionals in the field. Among various employment settings, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide the highest compensation, aided by production-based bonuses and better overall benefits compared to solo practices. Factors contributing to the substantial variance in pay include job structure, with some hygienists working four-day weeks compared to traditional five-day schedules, sign-on bonuses from larger organizations, and differences in health benefits across practice types. For those aiming to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Richardson, exploring opportunities in DSOs or seeking roles that offer bonuses tied to performance metrics can be strategic moves to enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Richardson, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $92,471 for dental hygienistsin the Richardson metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Richardson 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