Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$54,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$48,214 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$42,479 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $63,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $48,510▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $80,640▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $100,800▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,214 | $50,806▲ | -$2,592 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,576 | $58,212▲ | -$10,636 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,479 | $46,945▲ | -$4,466 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($48,214 vs $50,806 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.