Dental Hygienist Salary in Little Elm, TX: $93,010 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Little Elm, TX earns a median $93,010/year (≈ $44.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $96,885 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $93,010 for dental hygienists in Little Elm, TX, these professionals earn notably less than their peers nationwide, reflecting a difference of approximately 9.65% compared to the national median of $102,946. The projected salary range for dental hygienists in this area spans from $69,760 at the 10th percentile to $112,670 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, which in Little Elm, is slightly below the national average at a cost of living index of 96. This slight disparity indicates that while the salary figures are competitive within Texas, pursuing additional opportunities or specializations may result in better pay for professionals in this field.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,760 | $33.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,875 | $39.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,010 | $44.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,719 | $47.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,670 | $54.17 |
Median Salary Position
9.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,910 (2026 est.). At $93,010, the local median is 9.65% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be above the median
How Little Elm Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $93,010/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,887 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -9.65% less |
Dental Hygienists in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $93,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.65% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $95,887.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm 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.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $93,010 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,885 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$76,323
2025 BLS Actual
$88,632
2026 Current Est.
$93,010
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Little Elm (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,159 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,010 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,605 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $76,323 (2020) to $88,632 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,282 (27.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $69,760 – $82,875 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,875 – $93,010 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,010 – $99,719 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,719 – $112,670 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Little Elm
The employment landscape for dental hygienists in Little Elm is relatively stable, with 12 dental hygienists currently working in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 96, dental hygienists may find their earnings to stretch further than in higher-cost regions, but they still face the reality of varying compensation based on practice type. Generally, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the most lucrative roles, often providing benefits such as health insurance and sign-on bonuses, which can elevate overall remuneration. Gaps in pay can be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses tied to recall and recare metrics, and the flexibility of working hours, with many professionals opting for four-day work weeks over traditional five-day schedules. Maximizing earnings in Little Elm may involve considering roles in DSOs, staying updated on potential bonuses, and negotiating for essential benefits that enhance job satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Little Elm, 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 $88,632 for dental hygienistsin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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