Dental Hygienist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Dental Hygienist Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Dental Hygienists in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$68,000 vs $63,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$44,737 vs $50,806
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$38,650 vs $46,945
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,000▲ | $63,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,360▲ | $48,510 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,040▲ | $80,640 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $100,800 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $44,737 | $50,806▲ | -$6,069 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,748▲ | $58,212 | +$536 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,650 | $46,945▲ | -$8,295 |
| Total Employment | 112,500 | 95,000 | +17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $5,000 more (median: $68,000 vs $63,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($44,737 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.