Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Mission, TX: $42.22 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Mission, TX runs $42.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,814 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Mission's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,687 per year.

$87,814
Median Annual Salary
$42.22/hr
Hourly Rate
$65,090
Entry Level (P10)
$116,521
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Mission, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Mission, TX dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Mission, TX, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $42.22, which lags behind the national median of $49.49. This rate reflects the typical compensation for professionals in a range of settings, including general dental practices, pediatric examination rooms, and public health clinics. For those seeking flexible work schedules, part-time opportunities at three days a week can yield substantial earnings, although entry-level positions begin at around $31.29 per hour, with highly experienced practitioners earning up to $56.02. The range indicates the diversity of pay across various practice environments, with potential for higher rates in specialized settings like periodontal practices.

About the Mission Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$31.29$250.34
Lower Range (P25)$34.95$279.56
Median (P50)$42.22$337.74
Upper Range (P75)$45.53$364.27
Top Earners (P90)$56.02$448.14

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mission

Based on $42.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Mission earning $42.22/hr would make approximately $50,661 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $87,812 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$50,661Reduced (32 hr/wk)$67,548Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$87,812

At $42.22/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mission, TX can expect to earn approximately $87,812 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,661. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mission.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$337.74
per 8hr shift
$1,688.69
per week
$7,318
per month
$87,812
per year

Schedule Comparison in Mission

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,688.69$7,318$87,812
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,013.22$4,391$52,687
Per Diem (16 hrs)$675.48$2,927$35,125

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Mission)$42.22
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Mission ($87,814) with Texas average ($95,867) and the US national median ($102,946).Mission$87,814Texas Avg$95,867-8.40%US National$102,946-14.70%

Dental Hygienists in Mission, TX earn a median of $87,814 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.70% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 8.40% below the Texas state average of $95,867.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $42.22/hr = $52,687/year (purchasing power: $54,883).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,812/year (purchasing power: $91,471).

CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2020 BLS Actual

$37.77/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$40.23/hr

2026 Current Est.

$42.22/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+17.3%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Mission (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Mission. Baseline $37.77/hr in 2025, projected to $44.30/hr by 2027.$35$38$41$43$46202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.77$36.91$38.80$42.75$40.10$40.23$42.22$44.30
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$37.77/hrActual
2021$36.91/hrActual
2022$38.80/hrActual
2023$42.75/hrActual
2024$40.10/hrActual
2025$40.23/hrActual
2026(current)$42.22/hrEstimated
2027$44.30/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mission grew 6.5% from $37.77/hr (2020) to $40.23/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mission metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Mission

For dental hygienists considering part-time work, those who commit to a schedule of three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can expect to take home around $53,135 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Many professionals in the field are also exploring per diem dental hygienist pay in Mission, which typically ranges between $40-$60 per hour, with some temp positions in larger metropolitan areas offering rates that ascend even higher. The earnings can vary notably depending on employer type; solo practices might pay less than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that offer benefits but lower hourly pay. As negotiations unfold, dental hygienists should weigh the importance of benefits against higher hourly wages in their discussions with employers, especially in a market affected by DSO consolidations, which often provide bonuses and incentives to attract fresh talent. Understanding these dynamics can help hygienists in Mission, TX, make informed decisions about their career paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mission in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mission is $42.22/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $31.29 at entry level (10th percentile) to $56.02 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 14.7% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Mission?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Mission earns approximately $4,391/month, or $52,687/year at the median hourly rate of $42.22. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Mission paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Mission are paid hourly at a median rate of $42.22/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $87,812/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Mission?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Mission earns approximately $87,812/year at the median hourly rate of $42.22. This is 14.7% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $116,515/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Mission?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Mission sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $56.02/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

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 Mission. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Mission is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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