PayByState

Texas · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Texas

Median $45,460 · Top 10% earn $56,940+ · Roughly 31,676 workers in Texas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Texas median
$45,460
$21.86/hr
Top 10%
$56,940
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$31,790
Entry-level range
Real pay
$46,914
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.9)

Texas pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants — $45,460 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 31,676 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Texas

Texas allows on-the-job DA training without formal licensure for most clinical work, which keeps the on-ramp short and pay moderate. Corporate dental groups dominate hiring.

Texas ranks #25 of 50 states

Where Texas sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Texas
#24 Utah $45,930 +$470
#23 Pennsylvania $46,400 +$940
#22 Virginia $46,880 +$1,420
#25 Texas (this page) $45,460 —
#27 Michigan $44,980 −$480
#28 Montana $44,980 −$480
#29 North Dakota $44,980 −$480
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Texas

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Texas median of $45,460, payback periods are typically 0.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Texas selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Texas — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Texas?
The median dental assistant salary in Texas is $45,460 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $31,790; the top 10% earn $56,940 or more. About 31,676 people work in this role across the state.
How does Texas dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Texas's median of $45,460 is $1,890 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Texas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.9), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $46,914.
Is dental assistant a good career in Texas?
On the data: Texas employs roughly 31,676 dental assistants, with a median wage of $45,460 and the top decile clearing $56,940. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Texas?
At the Texas median of $45,460 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $21.86/hr. The top 10% earn around $27.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $15.28/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Texas-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Texas's RPP is 96.9 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.