Dental Hygienist Salary in Houma, LA: $85,841 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Houma, LA earns a median $85,841/year (≈ $41.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $100,867 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Houma, Louisiana, is set at $85,841, marking a significant gap of approximately 16.62% below the national median of $102,946. Local dental hygienists can expect salaries to range from $64,716 at the 10th percentile to as high as $101,886 for those at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which highlight that while dental hygienist salaries in Houma appear competitive within the region, they still reflect the economic context and demand of the healthcare sector. The market holds promise for job seekers, primarily as the field is projected to grow at a rate of 4.94% annually over the next few years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,716 | $31.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,582 | $40.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,841 | $41.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,945 | $48.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,886 | $48.99 |
Median Salary Position
16.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,170 (2026 est.). At $85,841, the local median is 16.62% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be above the median
How Houma Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Houma median: $85,841/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $86,359 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.62% less |
Dental Hygienists in Houma, LA earn a median of $85,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.62% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.60% below the Louisiana state average of $86,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,841 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,867 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$76,360
2025 BLS Actual
$81,800
2026 Current Est.
$85,841
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Houma (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,841 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,081 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.1% from $76,360 (2020) to $81,800 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,721 (17.97%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $64,716 – $84,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,582 – $85,841 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,841 – $99,945 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,945 – $101,886 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Houma
Evaluating the local job market reveals that there are currently 120 dental hygienists employed in the Houma area, which indicates a steady demand for these professionals despite the salaries being lower than the national averages. With a cost-of-living index of 85.103, individuals in Houma may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to higher-cost areas, making the salaries more appealing. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental and Aspen are known to offer competitive salaries alongside sign-on bonuses, particularly to recent graduates. The disparity in pay between different practices highlights factors like production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and varying work schedules. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Houma, securing a position with a DSO, negotiating benefits, and considering performance incentives can significantly enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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
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 $81,800 for dental hygienistsin the Houma 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
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