Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $49.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in San Antonio, TX runs $49.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,345 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,999 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
San Antonio offers a competitive dental hygienist hourly pay, with a 2026 median rate projected at $49.68, slightly ahead of the national average of $49.49. This rate is beneficial for professionals working part-time, such as those in general dentistry, pediatric care, or mobile public health settings, where flexible schedules can lead to substantial earnings. Even entry-level positions are positioned well, with hourly rates starting around $41.94, while seasoned experts can earn as much as $53.13. The stability of the hourly wage structure in San Antonio reflects the demand for dental hygienists, ensuring that this profession remains attractive for both full-time and per diem workers in various settings across the city.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.94 | $335.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.47 | $339.75 |
| Median (P50) | $49.68 | $397.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.91 | $415.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.13 | $425.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $49.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.68/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $103,331 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,614. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,987.14 | $8,611 | $103,331 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,192.29 | $5,167 | $61,999 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $794.86 | $3,444 | $41,333 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (San Antonio) | $49.68 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $103,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 7.80% above the Texas state average of $95,867.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.68/hr = $61,999/year (purchasing power: $65,458).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,331/year (purchasing power: $109,096).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.68/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in San Antonio (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in San Antonio grew 33.5% from $35.47/hr (2020) to $47.34/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in San Antonio
Considering part-time employment, a dental hygienist working three days a week could expect to take home about $62,874 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. For those in per diem roles, the pay can fluctuate greatly depending on agency contracts, with many earning between $40-$60 per hour. In metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living, hourly rates can escalate further, aligning with pay trends seen in high-demand cities. Various employer types influence wages, with solo practices often offering lower rates than larger Dental Service Organizations or specialty practices, where health insurance and other benefits may compensate for higher hourly pay. Dental hygienists negotiating their hourly rate in San Antonio should focus on the full compensation package, weighing the trade-offs between higher wages without benefits and lower rates inclusive of health coverage. This strategic approach can greatly impact overall job satisfaction and financial stability in their careers.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in San Antonio. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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