Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Killeen, TX: $49.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Killeen, TX runs $49.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Killeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,161 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Killeen, Texas, a dental hygienist earns a median hourly rate of $49.01, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This competitive rate provides a solid foundation for professionals working in various settings, including private dental practices, public health clinics, and specialty offices. For part-time hygienists working three days a week, this translates to significant earnings, with the potential to earn between $40.81 and $51.43 hourly depending on their experience and the type of facility they work for. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicate that as fewer than 200 dental hygienists are employed locally, this profession offers ample opportunities within Killeen's healthcare landscape.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.81 | $326.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.67 | $341.35 |
| Median (P50) | $49.01 | $392.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.17 | $401.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.43 | $411.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Killeen
Based on $49.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.01/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Killeen, TX can expect to earn approximately $101,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,808. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Killeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Killeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,960.28 | $8,495 | $101,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,176.17 | $5,097 | $61,161 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $784.11 | $3,398 | $40,774 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Killeen) | $49.01 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.01/hr = $61,161/year (purchasing power: $67,112).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,935/year (purchasing power: $111,854).
CoL index: 91.132 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.01/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Killeen (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Killeen grew 30.5% from $35.79/hr (2020) to $46.70/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Killeen
Considering the earning potential of part-time dental hygienists, a worker putting in 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $61,193 annually, a significant figure compared to full-time colleagues. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem dental hygienist pay in Killeen typically ranges from $40 to $60 per hour, which allows professionals to choose their hours without making long-term commitments. The pay landscape varies by employer type, with solo practices generally offering lower hourly rates compared to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialized clinics where higher health benefit packages are often available. Professionals looking to negotiate higher hourly wages should consider the trade-offs of benefits packages versus straight pay, which might offer higher take-home amounts but lack support for health insurance or retirement planning. Understanding the local market and employers' needs is key for successful negotiations in Killeen's dental hygiene sector.
More salary data for Killeen, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Killeen. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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