Dental Hygienist Salary in Temple, TX: $101,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Temple, TX earns a median $101,102/year (≈ $48.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Temple's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $105,315 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Temple, Texas, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $101,102 in 2026, reflecting the local market's ability to provide competitive compensation amid a favorable cost of living. The salary range for this profession spans from $80,258 at the 10th percentile to $130,951 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential based on experience and practice setting. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional economic factors. Understanding this compensation in relation to the cost of living index of 96, which is below the national average, provides an interesting perspective on the real purchasing power for those working in the area. Overall, the job outlook for dental hygienists in Temple appears promising, with expected growth in local employment opportunities.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,258 | $38.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,686 | $42.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,102 | $48.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,872 | $54.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,951 | $62.95 |
Median Salary Position
1.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temple
In Temple, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,693 (2026 est.). At $101,102, the local median is 1.79% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temple: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temple Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Temple median: $101,102/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temple Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,832 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.79% less |
Dental Hygienists in Temple, TX earn a median of $101,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.79% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.50% above the Texas state average of $95,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temple has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temple, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $101,102 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,315 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$77,230
2025 BLS Actual
$96,343
2026 Current Est.
$101,102
2020–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Temple (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $77,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,332 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,985 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,343 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,097 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temple metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.7% from $77,230 (2020) to $96,343 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,867 (37.38%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,258 – $87,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,686 – $101,102 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,102 – $112,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,872 – $130,951 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Temple
With 14 dental hygienists currently employed in the Temple area, the job market while limited in size, shows stability. The cost of living index suggests that residents can enjoy a favorable financial situation, enhancing the actual take-home pay of professionals in this field. The highest-paying employers tend to be Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, where production-based bonuses and full benefits can significantly boost overall compensation. Factors influencing the salary disparity include the structure of workweeks, with many hygienists opting for four-day schedules over five, along with the presence of sign-on bonuses offered by DSOs to attract new talent. Maximizing pay in Temple could involve seeking opportunities with larger practices that offer better benefits and performance incentives while staying informed about changing trends in dental hygiene practice methods and payment structures dictated by industry regulations and private practices.
More salary data for Temple, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,343 for dental hygienistsin the Temple metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Temple is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov