Dental Hygienist Pay

Shreveport vs Zachary: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Shreveport, LA and Zachary, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shreveport, LA
$86,848
$41.76/hr
Zachary, LA
$80,353
$38.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShreveport, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$86,848$80,353
Hourly Rate$41.76$38.63
Entry Level (P10)$63,688$67,442
25th Percentile$85,348$71,640
75th Percentile$96,639$83,841
Top Earner (P90)$104,289$100,030
Total Employed2606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shreveport ($86,848) and Zachary ($80,353) dental hygienist salaries.ShreveportZacharyMedian Salary$86,848$80,353Entry Level (P10)$63,688$67,442Top Earner (P90)$104,289$100,030US Median $102,946

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Zachary.

The salary gap between Shreveport and Zachary is $6,495 (8.08%). Shreveport's median is -15.64% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shreveport spans $40,601,Zachary spans $32,588. Shreveport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$63,688
P25$85,348
Median$86,848
P75$96,639
P90 (Top)$104,289
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$67,442
P25$71,640
Median$80,353
P75$83,841
P90 (Top)$100,030

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($102,456 effective) pays 15.14% more than Zachary ($88,984 effective).

Shreveport
Nominal: $86,848
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $102,456
Zachary
Nominal: $80,353
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $88,984

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,848/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,289)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,456)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Zachary if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Shreveport grew 37.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in Zachary over the same period.

Shreveport, LA

+37.3%

$60,270 (2020) → $82,760 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+11.7%

$68,565 (2020) → $76,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Shreveport or Zachary?

Shreveport has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $86,848/year, compared to Zachary at $80,353/year — a difference of $6,495 (8.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shreveport and Zachary?

Shreveport dental hygienists earn $41.76/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $38.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shreveport to Zachary as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shreveport and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shreveport = $102,456, Zachary = $88,984), job availability (260 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Shreveport vs Zachary?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $63,688 in Shreveport and $67,442 in Zachary. The Zachary area offers higher starting salaries.
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