Texas
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Learn what dental hygienist professionals do, how to enter the field, and how the career can grow—plus current Texas earning potential.
Texas Median Salary
$99,240
2026 EDITION
Time to Entry
6-12 months before your exam date
Total Investment
$18,000-$45,000 total investment) and the BLS median salary of $98,100/year
Employment #s
16380
Our Features
Every figure in this guide is dated and traced to the agency or survey it came from. Wage data: BLS OEWS May 2025 (released 15 May 2026).
Who It's For:
For people exploring dental hygienist and ready-to-start candidates who want a clear, source-backed view of the work, the entry requirements, the time and cost involved, and the paths available after qualification.
What's in the Guide:
What the work involves, where the role fits, and what employers expect | A step-by-step entry roadmap covering education, regulation, credentials, exams, time, and cost | Career-specific skills and realities: Periodontology and Instrumentation; Radiography | Current Texas and U.S. pay ranges and the factors that shape earning potential | A source-backed 90-day action plan
Earning Potential
Texas
$71,530 – $117,890
United States
$71,530 – $117,890
BLS OEWS May 2025 (released 15 May 2026)
Regulatory Authority
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Is a license required?
Varies
Credential
The License/Certification — NBDHE + Clinical Board + Texas Jurisprudence
Continuing Education
2 hours — required by Texas law for all healthcare licensees
Examination
The Exam Curriculum (What You Actually Must Know
Heading 3
Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets the standard that employers hire against.
Common Questions
Credential
