How much do dental hygienists make in Texas?
Texas dental hygienists earn $99,240 at the median, with a range from $71,530 at the 10th percentile to $117,890 at the 90th.[oews_hyg] The Texas 25th percentile and median are slightly above the U.S. figures, but the top of the range is lower: the Texas 90th percentile is $8,160 below the national one. Texas has the second-largest hygienist workforce, 16,380 jobs.
| Percentile | Texas | Hourly (TX) | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,530 | $34.39 | $74,880 | −$3,350 |
| 25th | $85,280 | $41.00 | $83,570 | +$1,710 |
| 50th (median) | $99,240 | $47.71 | $98,100 | +$1,140 |
| 75th | $107,320 | $51.60 | $108,480 | −$1,160 |
| 90th | $117,890 | $56.68 | $126,050 | −$8,160 |
In practice, typical Texas pay is close to the national middle, while the very top earners do better in the West. If you are new, compare an offer with the Texas 10th and 25th percentiles ($71,530 and $85,280) rather than the national median.
Texas take-home pay: the no-income-tax advantage
Because the Texas Constitution bars a tax on individuals’ net incomes, a Texas hygienist pays only federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.[tx_const] At the $99,240 median a single filer takes home about $78,645 a year, or $3,025 every two weeks, under 2026 federal rules.[irs_2026][irs_p15]
Compared with California, the Texas median is $25,690 lower before tax, but California’s state income tax narrows that gap. To compare, run the California calculator with your expected California tax rate and set this one to 0%.
Texas vs neighboring states
Texas pays hygienists more than Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma at the median, and less than Colorado.[oews_hyg]
| State | Median | Hourly | 10th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $99,240 | $47.71 | $71,530 | 16,380 |
| Oklahoma | $97,580 | $46.91 | $81,290 | 2,860 |
| New Mexico | $95,940 | $46.13 | $82,180 | 1,420 |
| Louisiana | $85,240 | $40.98 | $49,900 | 2,690 |
| Arkansas | $86,760 | $41.71 | $62,170 | 1,740 |
| Colorado | $109,580 | $52.68 | $95,680 | 4,270 |
Texas dental hygienist license
Texas hygienists are licensed by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). Under 22 Texas Administrative Code §103.1, an applicant for licensure by examination must:[tac_103_1]
- Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program (or a dental school).
- Pass the national board, the NBDHE given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations ($600).[jcnde_nbdhe]
- Pass a clinical exam the board accepts; §103.2 lists CDCA-WREB-CITA (now ADEX), CRDTS and SRTA, and results stay valid for 7 years.[tac_103_2]
- Pass the Texas jurisprudence assessment within one year before applying.
- Submit fingerprints and hold current basic life support (BLS) certification.
The 2025 application form lists a $125 fee for licensure by examination; the March 2026 form validates ADEX and CRDTS-SRTA scores and takes fingerprints through IdentoGo.[tsbde_app] TSBDE adjusts its fee schedule by rule, so confirm the current amounts on the board’s forms before you pay.
More: the dental hygienist salary by state table, hourly pay by state, and how to become a dental hygienist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make an hour in Texas?
$47.71 at the median, from $34.39 at the 10th percentile to $56.68 at the 90th (BLS, May 2025).
Does Texas tax a dental hygienist’s salary?
Not at the state level: Texas has no personal income tax. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare still apply.
What is the Texas jurisprudence exam for hygienists?
An assessment of Texas dental law that hygiene applicants must pass within one year before applying for a license (22 TAC §103.1).
Which clinical exams does Texas accept?
The board’s rule lists CDCA-WREB-CITA (now ADEX), CRDTS and SRTA; scores are valid for 7 years.
Sources
- Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025: 29-1292 Dental Hygienists (national, state and metro estimates)
- Texas Constitution art. VIII §24-a (no tax on the net incomes of individuals)
- Rev. Proc. 2025-32: 2026 tax rate tables and standard deduction
- Publication 15 (2026), Circular E: Social Security wage base and FICA rates
- 22 Texas Administrative Code §103.1, General qualifications for licensure (dental hygienists)
- National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) 2026 Candidate Guide
- 22 Texas Administrative Code §103.2, Licensure by examination
- Dental Hygiene Licensure Application