Dental Hygienist Salary in Killeen, TX: $101,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Killeen, TX earns a median $101,939/year (≈ $49.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $111,859 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Killeen, Texas, is $101,939, which is slightly lower than the national median of $102,946. The data indicates a salary range from $84,875 at the 10th percentile to $106,976 at the 90th percentile. These insights come from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), which suggest that while the salary is competitive, local market factors influence the overall financial landscape. The residents of Killeen can expect their earnings to be more impactful due to the local cost-of-living index of 91.132, suggesting that the purchasing power of these salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost regions. The demand for dental hygienists in the area, coupled with the cost of living, creates a favorable job market for dental professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,875 | $40.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,737 | $42.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,939 | $49.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,363 | $50.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,976 | $51.43 |
Median Salary Position
0.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,101 (2026 est.). At $101,939, the local median is 0.98% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Killeen Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Killeen median: $101,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,897 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.98% less |
Dental Hygienists in Killeen, TX earn a median of $101,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.30% above the Texas state average of $95,897.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $101,939 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,859 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,440
2025 BLS Actual
$97,140
2026 Current Est.
$101,939
2020–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Killeen (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,974 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 30.5% from $74,440 (2020) to $97,140 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,974 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,534 (43.70%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $84,875 – $88,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,737 – $101,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,939 – $104,363 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,363 – $106,976 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Killeen
With around 190 dental hygienists employed in Killeen, the job market remains relatively robust. The local cost of living plays a significant role in how much do dental hygienists make in Killeen, TX, as salaries here tend to offer more value than in higher-cost areas. Employers that tend to compensate at the higher end of the pay spectrum generally include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and multi-doctor group practices, which often provide attractive sign-on bonuses to new graduates, thus widening the pay gap with smaller, solo practices that may not offer such benefits. Compensation discrepancies relate largely to production-based incentives tied to patient retention and recall, as well as work schedule options that can significantly impact earnings. For hygienists aiming to maximize their pay in Killeen’s market, targeting employment with DSOs, negotiating for flexible scheduling, and seeking opportunities for bonus incentives can be effective strategies in enhancing their overall compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Killeen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Killeen?
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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 $97,140 for dental hygienistsin the Killeen 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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