Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$63,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$50,806 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,945 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $63,000 | $77,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,510 | $59,290▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,640 | $98,560▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,800 | $123,200▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $50,806▲ | $47,531 | +$3,275 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,212 | $71,148▲ | -$12,936 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,945▲ | $43,919 | +$3,026 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 145,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $63,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($50,806 vs $47,531 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.