Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Amarillo, TX: $42.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Amarillo, TX runs $42.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,189 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Amarillo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,512 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amarillo, Texas, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $42.88, which is approximately 13.36% lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This hourly rate provides an interesting dynamic for dental hygienists working in a variety of settings, from general dentistry operatories to pediatric exam rooms and public health mobile clinics. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or even per diem workers filling temporary roles, this rate translates to a consistent income, allowing for flexibility in scheduling while still earning a competitive wage. Entry-level positions typically start around $39.88 per hour, while experienced hygienists can earn up to $50.17, reflecting the wide pay range across the profession within Amarillo.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.88 | $319.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.09 | $320.70 |
| Median (P50) | $42.88 | $343.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.11 | $392.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.17 | $401.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amarillo
Based on $42.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.88/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amarillo, TX can expect to earn approximately $89,187 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,454. With a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Amarillo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amarillo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,715.14 | $7,432 | $89,187 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,029.08 | $4,459 | $53,512 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $686.06 | $2,973 | $35,675 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Amarillo) | $42.88 |
| 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 Amarillo, TX earn a median of $89,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.00% below the Texas state average of $95,902.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.88/hr = $53,512/year (purchasing power: $58,280).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,187/year (purchasing power: $97,133).
CoL index: 91.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.88/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Amarillo (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Amarillo grew 16.2% from $35.16/hr (2020) to $40.86/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.00/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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo
Considering the earning potential of dental hygienists, part-time employees working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $53,260 annually, a significant income relative to many positions in the area. For hygienists exploring per diem roles, pay often ranges from $40 to $60 per hour, providing a lucrative alternative, especially when considering larger cities that may offer even higher wages. Different employer types in Amarillo also exhibit varied pay structures; for instance, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen may provide higher compensation due to larger patient volumes and structured benefits. While some hygienists opt for higher hourly pay without benefits, others might accept lower wages to gain job security and health insurance. When negotiating salaries, practical tips include researching the pay standards in Amarillo’s job market and articulating your experience and qualifications clearly, allowing for informed discussions on hourly rates that reflect your value in this essential profession.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Amarillo in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Amarillo?
Are dental hygienists in Amarillo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Amarillo?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Amarillo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Amarillo. 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