Dental Hygienist Salary in Austin, TX
Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX earn a median of $63,000/year, ranging from $48,510 (25th percentile) to $100,800 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 124), this is equivalent to $50,806 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Austin, TX
Among the larger employers here are Smile Magic, Dental Depot, the Dell Children's network's pediatric dental services, and the steady mid-tier of independent practices across South Lamar, Cedar Park, and Round Rock. A one-bedroom in Mueller or East Austin runs around $1,700 to $2,100 monthly, with cheaper inventory toward Pflugerville. Texas levies no state income tax. The metro is car-dependent and I-35 traffic at peak hours pushes hygienists toward neighborhood-specific job searches. The rapid population growth has kept hygiene job postings unusually plentiful, with sign-on bonuses common - a market dynamic that's sharper here than in slower-growth metros, though saturation is starting to compress hourly rates in core areas.
1Salary Distribution in Austin, TX
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Austin, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX (current) | $63,000 | 124 | $50,806 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,000 | 112 | $52,679 |
| Houston, TX | $58,000 | 107 | $54,206 |
| El Paso, TX | $40,000 | 85 | $47,059 |
| San Francisco, CA | $79,000 | 186 | $42,473 |
| New York, NY | $76,000 | 187 | $40,642 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Dental Hygienist salary in Austin, TX?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in Austin, TX is $63,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $48,510 and the 90th percentile is $100,800.
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a Dental Hygienist?
Austin, TX has a cost of living index of 124 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $63,000 Dental Hygienist salary in Austin, TX is equivalent to $50,806 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Austin, TX?
Austin, TX has a cost of living index of 124, meaning it is 24% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Dental Hygienist salary range in Austin, TX?
In Austin, TX, Dental Hygienists earn between $48,510 (25th percentile) and $100,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $63,000 per year.
How many Dental Hygienist jobs are there in Austin, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 95,000 Dental Hygienist positions in the Austin, TX metropolitan area.
What do Dental Hygienists earn in Austin, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX earn a median annual wage of $63,000. The middle 50% earn between $48,510 and $80,640. The top 10% earn more than $100,800. There are approximately 95,000 Dental Hygienists employed in the Austin, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 7%.
Is Austin, TX a good place for a Dental Hygienist?
Austin, TX has a cost of living index of 124 (US average = 100), making it 24% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Dental Hygienist in Austin, TX earning $63,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $50,806 relative to the US median. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Austin, TX?
Austin, TX's cost of living index is 124, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $63,000 in Austin, TXhas the same purchasing power as $50,806 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Austin, TX with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Dental Hygienist in Austin, TX?
The headline median of $63,000 is only part of the picture. Austin, TX's cost of living index is 124 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 81¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $63,000 salary effectively purchases $50,806 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Austin, TX, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $63,000 salary, that translates to roughly $20,160/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Texas has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $3,780 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $58,212. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Dallas, TX ($59,000 median, COL 112); Houston, TX ($58,000 median, COL 107); El Paso, TX ($40,000 median, COL 85). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 7% year-over-year growth rate for Dental Hygienists in Austin, TX is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Dental Hygienists or the Texas state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.