Dental Hygienist Salary in Baytown, TX: $95,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Baytown, TX earns a median $95,368/year (≈ $45.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Baytown's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $99,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, TX, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $95,368 in 2026, which reflects the unique employment landscape of the area. With only 16 dental hygienists currently working in Baytown, the market appears relatively specialized, indicating limited saturation. Salaries for professionals in this line of work range from $70,092 at the 10th percentile to $119,984 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight that while local salaries may lag slightly behind the national median of $102,946, they still offer competitive compensation opportunities for licensed dental hygienists in the region.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,092 | $33.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,501 | $37.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,368 | $45.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,347 | $50.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,984 | $57.69 |
Median Salary Position
7.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baytown
In Baytown, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,892 (2026 est.). At $95,368, the local median is 7.36% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baytown: You'd be above the median
How Baytown Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Baytown median: $95,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,848 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -7.36% less |
Dental Hygienists in Baytown, TX earn a median of $95,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $95,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baytown 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.
Baytown, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $95,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$78,258
2025 BLS Actual
$90,879
2026 Current Est.
$95,368
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Baytown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,258 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,579 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,080 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baytown metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $78,258 (2020) to $90,879 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,822 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baytown 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) | $70,092 – $78,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,501 – $95,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,368 – $104,347 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,347 – $119,984 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Baytown
The dental hygienist job market in Baytown is characterized by a cost-of-living index of 96, which means that the local economic environment allows for reasonable purchasing power relative to earnings. Among the various types of dental practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the highest pay, often including sign-on bonuses that can enhance financial prospects for new graduates. Differences in compensation can also stem from practice type—solo practices may lack comprehensive benefits, while multi-doctor clinics or DSOs usually provide a fuller benefits package. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists in Baytown are advised to consider employment with DSOs or group practices and to negotiate based on their schedules and additional training certifications. This localized strategic approach can significantly influence overall dental hygienist pay in Baytown, TX.
More salary data for Baytown, 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 $90,879 for dental hygienistsin the Baytown 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 Baytown 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