Dental Hygienist Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $95,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Wichita Falls, TX earns a median $95,852/year (≈ $46.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Wichita Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $107,082 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $95,852, the dental hygienist salary in Wichita Falls, TX, presents a competitive opportunity relative to the national average, which stands at $102,946. The salary range for practitioners in this area stretches from $81,706 at the 10th percentile to $101,383 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variations in income based on experience and placement. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, indicates a solid income potential, especially when considering the local cost of living, which, with a cost-of-living index of 89.513, is below the national average. This creates a favorable environment for dental hygienists, as their purchasing power appears enhanced given the relative affordability of living in Wichita Falls.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,706 | $39.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,753 | $40.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,852 | $46.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,924 | $48.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,383 | $48.74 |
Median Salary Position
6.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,677 (2026 est.). At $95,852, the local median is 6.89% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita Falls: You'd be above the median
How Wichita Falls Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Wichita Falls median: $95,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $102,946 | -6.89% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita Falls has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita Falls, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.513 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $95,852 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,082 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,910
2025 BLS Actual
$91,340
2026 Current Est.
$95,852
2020–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,587 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $74,910 (2020) to $91,340 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,587 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,677 (34.28%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,706 – $83,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,753 – $95,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,852 – $99,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,924 – $101,383 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Wichita Falls
The job market for dental hygienists is relatively stable, with approximately 40 professionals employed in the area. While the cost of living is favorable, which positively affects take-home income, it also means that employers might offer varied compensation packages. The highest pay tends to come from larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental or Aspen Dental, which are more likely to provide comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and periodontal care. Factors such as employment schedules—4-day versus 5-day workweeks—can influence earnings as well. Dental hygienists looking to maximize their pay in Wichita Falls should consider pursuing roles in DSOs, negotiating sign-on bonuses, and ensuring they are well-versed in the dental health needs of the local population to stay competitive in this evolving market.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Wichita Falls, TX in 2026?
Is Wichita Falls, TX a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Wichita Falls?
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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 $91,340 for dental hygienistsin the Wichita Falls 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
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