Dental Hygienist Pay

Houston vs Kyle: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Houston, TX and Kyle, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr
Kyle, TX
$94,472
$45.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKyle, TX
Median Salary$110,114$94,472
Hourly Rate$52.94$45.42
Entry Level (P10)$89,776$75,563
25th Percentile$104,121$82,361
75th Percentile$112,496$106,042
Top Earner (P90)$113,954$122,832
Total Employed3,06013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($110,114) and Kyle ($94,472) dental hygienist salaries.HoustonKyleMedian Salary$110,114$94,472Entry Level (P10)$89,776$75,563Top Earner (P90)$113,954$122,832US Median $102,946

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kyle.

The salary gap between Houston and Kyle is $15,642 (16.56%). Houston's median is +6.96% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $24,178,Kyle spans $47,269. Kyle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$89,776
P25$104,121
Median$110,114
P75$112,496
P90 (Top)$113,954
Kyle
P10 (Entry)$75,563
P25$82,361
Median$94,472
P75$106,042
P90 (Top)$122,832

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,645 effective) pays 13.45% more than Kyle ($98,408 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $110,114
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,645
Kyle
Nominal: $94,472
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $98,408

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,114/year)
  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,645)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kyle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,832)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Houston grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Kyle over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

Kyle, TX

+16.1%

$77,523 (2020) → $90,025 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Houston or Kyle?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Kyle at $94,472/year — a difference of $15,642 (16.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kyle?

Houston dental hygienists earn $52.94/hr while Kyle hygienists earn $45.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Kyle as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kyle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $111,645, Kyle = $98,408), job availability (3,060 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Houston vs Kyle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,776 in Houston and $75,563 in Kyle. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov