Dental Hygienist Pay

Houston vs Prosper: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr
Prosper, TX
$91,790
$44.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXProsper, TX
Median Salary$110,114$91,790
Hourly Rate$52.94$44.13
Entry Level (P10)$89,776$74,429
25th Percentile$104,121$80,321
75th Percentile$112,496$102,411
Top Earner (P90)$113,954$114,511
Total Employed3,0607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($110,114) and Prosper ($91,790) dental hygienist salaries.HoustonProsperMedian Salary$110,114$91,790Entry Level (P10)$89,776$74,429Top Earner (P90)$113,954$114,511US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Prosper is $18,324 (19.96%). 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 Houston spans $24,178,Prosper spans $40,082. Prosper has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$89,776
P25$104,121
Median$110,114
P75$112,496
P90 (Top)$113,954
Prosper
P10 (Entry)$74,429
P25$80,321
Median$91,790
P75$102,411
P90 (Top)$114,511

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($111,645 effective) pays 16.77% more than Prosper ($95,615 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $110,114
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $111,645
Prosper
Nominal: $91,790
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $95,615

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Prosper if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,511)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

Prosper, TX

+16.1%

$75,322 (2020) → $87,469 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Houston or Prosper?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Prosper at $91,790/year — a difference of $18,324 (19.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Prosper?

Houston dental hygienists earn $52.94/hr while Prosper hygienists earn $44.13/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Prosper. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $111,645, Prosper = $95,615), job availability (3,060 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $89,776 in Houston and $74,429 in Prosper. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

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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