Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Richardson, TX: $46.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Richardson, TX runs $46.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,039 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Richardson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,227 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Richardson, Texas, earn a median hourly pay of $46.66, which sits below the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate is especially relevant for those working on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, or those seeking per diem opportunities in various settings, including general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty practices, and pediatric clinics. Entry-level dental hygienists can expect to earn around $33.42 per hour, while experienced professionals can approach the higher end of the scale, with top earners pulling in approximately $59.50 per hour. These rates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the potential earnings for dental hygienists across Richardson, TX.
About the Richardson 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) | $33.42 | $267.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.65 | $325.23 |
| Median (P50) | $46.66 | $373.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.47 | $411.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.50 | $476.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richardson
Based on $46.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.66/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richardson, TX can expect to earn approximately $97,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,988. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richardson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richardson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,866.25 | $8,087 | $97,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,119.75 | $4,852 | $58,227 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $746.50 | $3,235 | $38,818 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Richardson) | $46.66 |
| 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 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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.66/hr = $58,227/year (purchasing power: $60,653).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,045/year (purchasing power: $101,089).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$38.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.66/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richardson (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Richardson grew 16.1% from $38.28/hr (2020) to $44.46/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.96/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Richardson
Considering part-time work, a dental hygienist in Richardson working 24 hours a week could take home a significantly lower annual income than their full-time counterparts, despite the flexibility that part-time roles offer. Per diem dental hygienists in the area might find hourly rates ranging from $40 to $60, depending on the employer type, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offering attractive pay packages to attract talent. Conversely, solo practices or smaller clinics might provide lower rates but compensate with benefits like health insurance. This trade-off is a critical consideration for many hygienists. For those negotiating pay, understanding the local market and being aware of varying rates at different establishments—from government public health clinics to private pediatric offices—can empower dental hygienists to seek fair compensation that aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Richardson, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Richardson?
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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 Richardson. 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 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