Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$79,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,473 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$35,595 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $79,000▲ | $63,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,830▲ | $48,510 | +$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,120▲ | $80,640 | +$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,400▲ | $100,800 | +$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,473 | $50,806▲ | -$8,333 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,207▲ | $58,212 | +$7,995 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,595 | $46,945▲ | -$11,350 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 95,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $16,000 more (median: $79,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,473 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.