Dental Hygienist Pay

Copperas Cove vs Dallas: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Copperas Cove, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Copperas Cove, TX
$92,668
$44.55/hr
Dallas, TX
$106,902
$51.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCopperas Cove, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$92,668$106,902
Hourly Rate$44.55$51.40
Entry Level (P10)$76,584$52,669
25th Percentile$80,095$93,648
75th Percentile$102,428$122,150
Top Earner (P90)$117,304$125,991
Total Employed77,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Copperas Cove ($92,668) and Dallas ($106,902) dental hygienist salaries.Copperas CoveDallasMedian Salary$92,668$106,902Entry Level (P10)$76,584$52,669Top Earner (P90)$117,304$125,991US Median $102,946

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Copperas Cove.

The salary gap between Copperas Cove and Dallas is $14,234 (15.36%). Dallas's median is +3.84% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Copperas Cove spans $40,720,Dallas spans $73,322. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Copperas Cove
P10 (Entry)$76,584
P25$80,095
Median$92,668
P75$102,428
P90 (Top)$117,304
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$52,669
P25$93,648
Median$106,902
P75$122,150
P90 (Top)$125,991

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($103,698 effective) pays 7.43% more than Copperas Cove ($96,529 effective).

Copperas Cove
Nominal: $92,668
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $96,529
Dallas
Nominal: $106,902
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $103,698

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Copperas Cove if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,991)
  • Larger job market (7,050 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,698)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Copperas Cove grew 16.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.7% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Copperas Cove, TX

+16.1%

$76,042 (2020) → $88,306 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+21.7%

$83,680 (2020) → $101,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Copperas Cove or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $106,902/year, compared to Copperas Cove at $92,668/year — a difference of $14,234 (15.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Copperas Cove and Dallas?

Copperas Cove dental hygienists earn $44.55/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $51.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Copperas Cove to Dallas as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Copperas Cove and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Copperas Cove = $96,529, Dallas = $103,698), job availability (7 vs 7,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Copperas Cove vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $76,584 in Copperas Cove and $52,669 in Dallas. The Copperas Cove 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