Dental Hygienist Pay

Conroe vs Houston: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Conroe, TX
$97,221
$46.74/hr
Houston, TX
$110,114
$52.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConroe, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$97,221$110,114
Hourly Rate$46.74$52.94
Entry Level (P10)$74,489$89,776
25th Percentile$80,175$104,121
75th Percentile$106,673$112,496
Top Earner (P90)$122,315$113,954
Total Employed153,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conroe ($97,221) and Houston ($110,114) dental hygienist salaries.ConroeHoustonMedian Salary$97,221$110,114Entry Level (P10)$74,489$89,776Top Earner (P90)$122,315$113,954US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Conroe and Houston is $12,893 (13.26%). 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 Conroe spans $47,826,Houston spans $24,178. Conroe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conroe
P10 (Entry)$74,489
P25$80,175
Median$97,221
P75$106,673
P90 (Top)$122,315
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 10.24% more than Conroe ($101,272 effective).

Conroe
Nominal: $97,221
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $101,272
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 Conroe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,315)
  • 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 Conroe grew 16.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Conroe, TX

+16.1%

$79,778 (2020) → $92,644 (2025)

Houston, TX

+34.8%

$77,850 (2020) → $104,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Conroe or Houston?

Houston has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $110,114/year, compared to Conroe at $97,221/year — a difference of $12,893 (13.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conroe and Houston?

Conroe dental hygienists earn $46.74/hr while Houston hygienists earn $52.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conroe and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conroe = $101,272, Houston = $111,645), job availability (15 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $74,489 in Conroe 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