Dental Hygienist Pay

Broken Arrow vs Tulsa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Broken Arrow, OK
$93,570
$44.99/hr
Tulsa, OK
$105,307
$50.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBroken Arrow, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$93,570$105,307
Hourly Rate$44.99$50.62
Entry Level (P10)$68,489$80,363
25th Percentile$77,071$100,837
75th Percentile$104,223$108,907
Top Earner (P90)$121,465$128,457
Total Employed23820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Broken Arrow ($93,570) and Tulsa ($105,307) dental hygienist salaries.Broken ArrowTulsaMedian Salary$93,570$105,307Entry Level (P10)$68,489$80,363Top Earner (P90)$121,465$128,457US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Broken Arrow and Tulsa is $11,737 (12.54%). 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 Broken Arrow spans $52,976,Tulsa spans $48,094. Broken Arrow has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Broken Arrow
P10 (Entry)$68,489
P25$77,071
Median$93,570
P75$104,223
P90 (Top)$121,465
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 12.15% more than Broken Arrow ($105,253 effective).

Broken Arrow
Nominal: $93,570
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $105,253
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 Broken Arrow 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 Broken Arrow grew 10.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Broken Arrow, OK

+10.8%

$80,509 (2020) → $89,165 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+14.8%

$87,450 (2020) → $100,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Broken Arrow or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $105,307/year, compared to Broken Arrow at $93,570/year — a difference of $11,737 (12.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Broken Arrow and Tulsa?

Broken Arrow dental hygienists earn $44.99/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $50.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Broken Arrow to Tulsa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Broken Arrow and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Broken Arrow = $105,253, Tulsa = $118,039), job availability (23 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $68,489 in Broken Arrow 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