Dental Hygienist Pay

Amarillo vs Dallas: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Amarillo, TX
$89,189
$42.88/hr
Dallas, TX
$106,902
$51.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmarillo, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$89,189$106,902
Hourly Rate$42.88$51.40
Entry Level (P10)$82,945$52,669
25th Percentile$83,375$93,648
75th Percentile$102,149$122,150
Top Earner (P90)$104,363$125,991
Total Employed1807,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amarillo ($89,189) and Dallas ($106,902) dental hygienist salaries.AmarilloDallasMedian Salary$89,189$106,902Entry Level (P10)$82,945$52,669Top Earner (P90)$104,363$125,991US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Amarillo and Dallas is $17,713 (19.86%). 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 Amarillo spans $21,418,Dallas spans $73,322. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Amarillo
P10 (Entry)$82,945
P25$83,375
Median$89,189
P75$102,149
P90 (Top)$104,363
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$52,669
P25$93,648
Median$106,902
P75$122,150
P90 (Top)$125,991

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($103,698 effective) pays 6.76% more than Amarillo ($97,135 effective).

Amarillo
Nominal: $89,189
CoL Index: 91.82
Adjusted: $97,135
Dallas
Nominal: $106,902
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $103,698

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amarillo if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

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

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Amarillo grew 16.2% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.7% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Amarillo, TX

+16.2%

$73,130 (2020) → $84,990 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+21.7%

$83,680 (2020) → $101,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Amarillo or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,902/year, compared to Amarillo at $89,189/year — a difference of $17,713 (19.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amarillo and Dallas?

Amarillo dental hygienists earn $42.88/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $51.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amarillo and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amarillo = $97,135, Dallas = $103,698), job availability (180 vs 7,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,945 in Amarillo and $52,669 in Dallas. The Amarillo 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