Dental Hygienist Pay

Forney vs Houston: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Forney, TX
$93,992
$45.19/hr
Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricForney, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$93,992$110,114
Hourly Rate$45.19$52.94
Entry Level (P10)$72,134$89,776
25th Percentile$79,233$104,121
75th Percentile$101,944$112,496
Top Earner (P90)$115,784$113,954
Total Employed63,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Forney ($93,992) and Houston ($110,114) dental hygienist salaries.ForneyHoustonMedian Salary$93,992$110,114Entry Level (P10)$72,134$89,776Top Earner (P90)$115,784$113,954US Median $102,946

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Forney.

The salary gap between Forney and Houston is $16,122 (17.15%). Houston's median is +6.96% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Forney spans $43,650,Houston spans $24,178. Forney has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Forney
P10 (Entry)$72,134
P25$79,233
Median$93,992
P75$101,944
P90 (Top)$115,784
Houston
P10 (Entry)$89,776
P25$104,121
Median$110,114
P75$112,496
P90 (Top)$113,954

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,645 effective) pays 14.03% more than Forney ($97,908 effective).

Forney
Nominal: $93,992
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $97,908
Houston
Nominal: $110,114
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,645

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Forney if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,784)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,114/year)
  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,645)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Forney grew 16.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Forney, TX

+16.1%

$77,128 (2020) → $89,567 (2025)

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Forney or Houston?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Forney at $93,992/year — a difference of $16,122 (17.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Forney and Houston?

Forney dental hygienists earn $45.19/hr while Houston hygienists earn $52.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Forney to Houston as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Forney and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Forney = $97,908, Houston = $111,645), job availability (6 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Forney vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $72,134 in Forney and $89,776 in Houston. The Houston 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