Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$58,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$54,206 vs $47,531
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$50,086 vs $43,919
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $77,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $59,290▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $98,560▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $123,200▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $54,206▲ | $47,531 | +$6,675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $53,592 | $71,148▲ | -$17,556 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,086▲ | $43,919 | +$6,167 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $19,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($54,206 vs $47,531 equivalent). Houston, 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.