Dental Hygienist Salary in Port Arthur, TX: $104,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Port Arthur, TX earns a median $104,500/year (≈ $50.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Port Arthur's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $108,854 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, TX, dental hygienists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,500 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $102,946. This reflects a growing demand for dental services in the area, with a salary range spanning from $79,798 at the 10th percentile to $131,406 at the 90th percentile. The local figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicating a healthy compensation landscape for dental hygienists. As the market expands, Port Arthur may present favorable opportunities, especially for those willing to consider positions across various practice settings, including Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often offer competitive pay packages.
About the Port Arthur Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($93,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,798 | $38.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,265 | $42.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,500 | $50.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,299 | $54.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,406 | $63.17 |
Median Salary Position
1.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Arthur
In Port Arthur, TX, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,608 (2026 est.). At $104,500, the local median is 1.51% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Arthur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Arthur Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Port Arthur median: $104,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Arthur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $95,872 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +1.51% more |
Dental Hygienists in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $104,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.51% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 9.00% above the Texas state average of $95,872.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Arthur 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.
Port Arthur, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $104,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,854 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$79,653
2025 BLS Actual
$99,581
2026 Current Est.
$104,500
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Port Arthur (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $79,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,159 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,663 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $79,653 (2020) to $99,581 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,663 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,010 (37.68%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur 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) | $79,798 – $88,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,265 – $104,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,500 – $114,299 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,299 – $131,406 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Port Arthur
Analyzing the local job market, only 12 dental hygienists are currently employed in Port Arthur, indicating a niche industry presence that could yield stable employment opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 96, which is below the national average, enhancing the real purchasing power of dental hygienist salaries here. Positions in DSOs, such as Heartland or Aspen Dental, tend to provide higher pay and robust benefits compared to solo practices or public clinics, which may lack health insurance. Factors like production-based bonuses and the number of scheduled workdays significantly affect the salary variances within this field. For aspiring dental hygienists in Port Arthur, pursuing employment with organizations that offer sign-on incentives and comprehensive benefits can be a strategic way to enhance overall compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Port Arthur?
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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 $99,581 for dental hygienistsin the Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur 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