Dental Hygienist Salary in Nacogdoches, TX: $90,972 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Nacogdoches, TX earns a median $90,972/year (≈ $43.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Nacogdoches's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $94,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Nacogdoches, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $90,972, which is significantly below the national median of $102,946. The local salary range varies from $72,350 at the 10th percentile to $111,712 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse earning potential in the area. These figures arise from analyses based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, highlighting the importance of cost of living when evaluating actual purchasing power. Despite Nacogdoches being substantially lower than the national average, it does present opportunities for dental professionals who understand the local market dynamics.
About the Nacogdoches Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,350 | $34.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,608 | $36.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,972 | $43.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,660 | $47.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,712 | $53.71 |
Median Salary Position
11.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nacogdoches
In Nacogdoches, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,362 (2026 est.). At $90,972, the local median is 11.63% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nacogdoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nacogdoches Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Nacogdoches median: $90,972/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nacogdoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,861 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.63% less |
Dental Hygienists in Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $90,972 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.63% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $95,861.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nacogdoches has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nacogdoches, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $90,972 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,763 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,650
2025 BLS Actual
$86,690
2026 Current Est.
$90,972
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Nacogdoches (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,945 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,541 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,972 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,467 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nacogdoches metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.1% from $74,650 (2020) to $86,690 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,817 (27.89%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nacogdoches 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) | $72,350 – $76,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,608 – $90,972 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,972 – $98,660 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,660 – $111,712 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Nacogdoches
Analyzing the job market reveals that there are currently only seven dental hygienists employed in Nacogdoches, underscoring a competitive landscape for positions. With a cost-of-living index of 96, residents experience a somewhat lower financial burden compared to national averages, which can impact the take-home value of salaries. Strong employers within the local market, such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental, often provide advantageous pay structures, including sign-on bonuses that can enhance earnings significantly. However, factors such as production-based bonuses related to patient retention and varying schedules—like four-day work weeks—create discrepancies between lower and higher pay brackets. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Nacogdoches, targeting employment with DSOs or multi-doctor group practices could provide the best financial outcomes while also considering the benefits offered, as many private offices may lack comprehensive health benefits.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, 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
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 $86,690 for dental hygienistsin the Nacogdoches 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
Salary data for Nacogdoches is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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