Dental Hygienist Pay

Dallas vs Laredo: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Dallas, TX and Laredo, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$106,902
$51.40/hr
Laredo, TX
$86,513
$41.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXLaredo, TX
Median Salary$106,902$86,513
Hourly Rate$51.40$41.59
Entry Level (P10)$52,669$77,351
25th Percentile$93,648$79,062
75th Percentile$122,150$97,468
Top Earner (P90)$125,991$98,518
Total Employed7,05090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($106,902) and Laredo ($86,513) dental hygienist salaries.DallasLaredoMedian Salary$106,902$86,513Entry Level (P10)$52,669$77,351Top Earner (P90)$125,991$98,518US Median $102,946

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Laredo.

The salary gap between Dallas and Laredo is $20,389 (23.57%). Dallas's median is +3.84% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $73,322,Laredo spans $21,167. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$52,669
P25$93,648
Median$106,902
P75$122,150
P90 (Top)$125,991
Laredo
P10 (Entry)$77,351
P25$79,062
Median$86,513
P75$97,468
P90 (Top)$98,518

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($103,698 effective) pays 4.23% more than Laredo ($99,491 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $106,902
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $103,698
Laredo
Nominal: $86,513
CoL Index: 86.956
Adjusted: $99,491

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,991)
  • Larger job market (7,050 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,698)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Laredo if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Dallas grew 21.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Laredo over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+21.7%

$83,680 (2020) → $101,870 (2025)

Laredo, TX

+1.1%

$81,540 (2020) → $82,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Dallas or Laredo?

Dallas has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,902/year, compared to Laredo at $86,513/year — a difference of $20,389 (23.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Laredo?

Dallas dental hygienists earn $51.40/hr while Laredo hygienists earn $41.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Laredo as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Laredo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $103,698, Laredo = $99,491), job availability (7,050 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Dallas vs Laredo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $52,669 in Dallas and $77,351 in Laredo. The Laredo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov