Dental Hygienist Salary in Friendswood, TX: $92,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Friendswood, TX earns a median $92,653/year (≈ $44.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $96,514 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, TX, the dental hygienist salary in Friendswood is set to be $92,653 in 2026, which is approximately 10% lower than the national median of $102,946. This salary falls within a range that extends from $76,155 at the 10th percentile to $117,255 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy wage potential for dental professionals in the area. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for local economic conditions. The salary levels reflect the region's specific market factors, including the relatively small workforce of just eight employed dental hygienists, which contributes to both the stability and competitiveness of compensation in Friendswood.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,155 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,123 | $39.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,653 | $44.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,392 | $49.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,255 | $56.37 |
Median Salary Position
10% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,100 (2026 est.). At $92,653, the local median is 10% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $92,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,814 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -10.00% less |
Dental Hygienists in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $92,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $95,814.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $92,653 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,514 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$76,030
2025 BLS Actual
$88,291
2026 Current Est.
$92,653
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Friendswood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,293 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,230 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $76,030 (2020) to $88,291 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,200 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $76,155 – $82,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,123 – $92,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,653 – $102,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,392 – $117,255 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Friendswood
Considering the cost of living index of 96, dental hygienists in Friendswood benefit from relatively affordable living expenses, which enhances their purchasing power despite a lower average salary compared to national standards. Among local job opportunities, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the highest compensation, frequently including bonuses and benefits packages that private practices may lack. Significant factors such as production-based bonuses, weekly work schedules, and signing incentives from DSOs contribute to pay disparities. To maximize earnings in this specific market, dental hygienists should consider employment with DSOs or larger practices that offer structured career development, benefits, and potential for enhanced earnings through bonuses linked to patient care and retention metrics.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Friendswood?
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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 $88,291 for dental hygienistsin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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