Dental Hygienist Pay

Austin vs Cedar Hill: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Austin, TX and Cedar Hill, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$110,691
$53.22/hr
Cedar Hill, TX
$94,765
$45.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXCedar Hill, TX
Median Salary$110,691$94,765
Hourly Rate$53.22$45.56
Entry Level (P10)$60,991$74,028
25th Percentile$99,305$80,846
75th Percentile$125,603$103,714
Top Earner (P90)$126,369$118,266
Total Employed1,2708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($110,691) and Cedar Hill ($94,765) dental hygienist salaries.AustinCedar HillMedian Salary$110,691$94,765Entry Level (P10)$60,991$74,028Top Earner (P90)$126,369$118,266US Median $102,946

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Hill.

The salary gap between Austin and Cedar Hill is $15,926 (16.81%). Austin's median is +7.52% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $65,378,Cedar Hill spans $44,238. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$60,991
P25$99,305
Median$110,691
P75$125,603
P90 (Top)$126,369
Cedar Hill
P10 (Entry)$74,028
P25$80,846
Median$94,765
P75$103,714
P90 (Top)$118,266

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($112,874 effective) pays 14.34% more than Cedar Hill ($98,714 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $110,691
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $112,874
Cedar Hill
Nominal: $94,765
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $98,714

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,691/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,369)
  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,874)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Cedar Hill if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Austin grew 33.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Cedar Hill over the same period.

Austin, TX

+33.3%

$79,110 (2020) → $105,480 (2025)

Cedar Hill, TX

+16.1%

$77,763 (2020) → $90,304 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Austin or Cedar Hill?

Austin has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,691/year, compared to Cedar Hill at $94,765/year — a difference of $15,926 (16.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Cedar Hill?

Austin dental hygienists earn $53.22/hr while Cedar Hill hygienists earn $45.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Cedar Hill as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Cedar Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $112,874, Cedar Hill = $98,714), job availability (1,270 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Austin vs Cedar Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $60,991 in Austin and $74,028 in Cedar Hill. The Cedar Hill 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