Dental Hygienist Pay

Durant vs Tulsa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Durant, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durant, OK
$85,680
$41.19/hr
Tulsa, OK
$105,307
$50.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurant, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$85,680$105,307
Hourly Rate$41.19$50.62
Entry Level (P10)$72,964$80,363
25th Percentile$77,086$100,837
75th Percentile$90,117$108,907
Top Earner (P90)$104,782$128,457
Total Employed5820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durant ($85,680) and Tulsa ($105,307) dental hygienist salaries.DurantTulsaMedian Salary$85,680$105,307Entry Level (P10)$72,964$80,363Top Earner (P90)$104,782$128,457US Median $102,946

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Durant.

The salary gap between Durant and Tulsa is $19,627 (22.91%). Tulsa's median is +2.29% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durant spans $31,818,Tulsa spans $48,094. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Durant
P10 (Entry)$72,964
P25$77,086
Median$85,680
P75$90,117
P90 (Top)$104,782
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$80,363
P25$100,837
Median$105,307
P75$108,907
P90 (Top)$128,457

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($118,039 effective) pays 22.47% more than Durant ($96,378 effective).

Durant
Nominal: $85,680
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $96,378
Tulsa
Nominal: $105,307
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $118,039

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durant if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,457)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,039)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Durant grew 10.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Durant, OK

+10.8%

$73,721 (2020) → $81,647 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+14.8%

$87,450 (2020) → $100,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Durant or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,307/year, compared to Durant at $85,680/year — a difference of $19,627 (22.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durant and Tulsa?

Durant dental hygienists earn $41.19/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $50.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durant to Tulsa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durant and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durant = $96,378, Tulsa = $118,039), job availability (5 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Durant vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $72,964 in Durant and $80,363 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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