Dental Hygienist Pay

Owasso vs Tulsa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Owasso, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Owasso, OK
$89,218
$42.89/hr
Tulsa, OK
$105,307
$50.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOwasso, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$89,218$105,307
Hourly Rate$42.89$50.62
Entry Level (P10)$67,599$80,363
25th Percentile$74,565$100,837
75th Percentile$96,142$108,907
Top Earner (P90)$108,878$128,457
Total Employed9820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Owasso ($89,218) and Tulsa ($105,307) dental hygienist salaries.OwassoTulsaMedian Salary$89,218$105,307Entry Level (P10)$67,599$80,363Top Earner (P90)$108,878$128,457US Median $102,946

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Owasso.

The salary gap between Owasso and Tulsa is $16,089 (18.03%). Tulsa's median is +2.29% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Owasso spans $41,279,Tulsa spans $48,094. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Owasso
P10 (Entry)$67,599
P25$74,565
Median$89,218
P75$96,142
P90 (Top)$108,878
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$80,363
P25$100,837
Median$105,307
P75$108,907
P90 (Top)$128,457

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($118,039 effective) pays 17.62% more than Owasso ($100,358 effective).

Owasso
Nominal: $89,218
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $100,358
Tulsa
Nominal: $105,307
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $118,039

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Owasso if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,457)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,039)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Owasso grew 10.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Owasso, OK

+10.8%

$76,765 (2020) → $85,018 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+14.8%

$87,450 (2020) → $100,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Owasso or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,307/year, compared to Owasso at $89,218/year — a difference of $16,089 (18.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Owasso and Tulsa?

Owasso dental hygienists earn $42.89/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $50.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Owasso to Tulsa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Owasso and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Owasso = $100,358, Tulsa = $118,039), job availability (9 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Owasso vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $67,599 in Owasso and $80,363 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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