Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Wichita Falls, TX: $46.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Wichita Falls, TX runs $46.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,852 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Wichita Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,507 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita Falls, the dental hygienist hourly pay is set at a median rate of $46.08, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This difference highlights the local job market dynamics and the cost of living, which is below the national average. For dental hygienists working part-time, such as those opting for a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $1,474 weekly, potentially allowing for a well-balanced lifestyle. The hourly pay range starts at around $39.28 for entry-level positions and can go up to $48.74 for highly experienced practitioners, thus providing opportunities for career advancement. Various settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric practices, periodontal suites, and community health clinics, further diversify the employment landscape for dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.28 | $314.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.27 | $322.12 |
| Median (P50) | $46.08 | $368.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.04 | $384.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.74 | $389.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita Falls
Based on $46.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.08/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita Falls, TX can expect to earn approximately $95,845 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,295. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,843.17 | $7,987 | $95,845 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,105.90 | $4,792 | $57,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $737.27 | $3,195 | $38,338 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Wichita Falls) | $46.08 |
| 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 Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $95,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.89% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.08/hr = $57,507/year (purchasing power: $64,244).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,845/year (purchasing power: $107,073).
CoL index: 89.513 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.08/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wichita Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wichita Falls grew 21.9% from $36.01/hr (2020) to $43.91/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.36/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 Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls
While considering the potential for part-time work, a dental hygienist engaged for three days weekly could earn about $76,288 annually, which allows for a steady income but may not encompass the full benefits package that many full-time positions offer. In contrast, per-diem dental hygienist pay in Wichita Falls can vary significantly; temp agencies typically offer rates from $40 to $60, though it's not uncommon for professionals in high-cost metropolitan areas to secure $60 to $85. The setting of employment also affects compensation levels, as positions in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer different pay scales compared to solo practices or specialty offices. Many dental hygienists may choose to accept slightly lower hourly rates for the security of benefits, which could include health insurance and retirement plans. When negotiating, understanding the specific offerings of each employer and the additional perks can be vital for making informed decisions about employment opportunities in the field.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wichita Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Wichita Falls?
Are dental hygienists in Wichita Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Wichita Falls?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Wichita Falls?
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 Wichita Falls. 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