Dental Assistant Pay

Brownsville vs Dallas: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Brownsville, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brownsville, TX
$38,739
$18.63/hr
Dallas, TX
$49,064
$23.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrownsville, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$38,739$49,064
Hourly Rate$18.63$23.59
Entry Level (P10)$30,952$37,976
25th Percentile$36,470$46,795
75th Percentile$45,763$51,219
Top Earner (P90)$47,228$60,553
Total Employed3309,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brownsville ($38,739) and Dallas ($49,064) dental assistant salaries.BrownsvilleDallasMedian Salary$38,739$49,064Entry Level (P10)$30,952$37,976Top Earner (P90)$47,228$60,553US Median $49,579

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsville.

The salary gap between Brownsville and Dallas is $10,325 (26.65%). Dallas's median is -1.04% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brownsville spans $16,276,Dallas spans $22,577. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Brownsville
P10 (Entry)$30,952
P25$36,470
Median$38,739
P75$45,763
P90 (Top)$47,228
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,976
P25$46,795
Median$49,064
P75$51,219
P90 (Top)$60,553

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($47,593 effective) pays 5.63% more than Brownsville ($45,058 effective).

Brownsville
Nominal: $38,739
CoL Index: 85.975
Adjusted: $45,058
Dallas
Nominal: $49,064
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $47,593

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brownsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,553)
  • Larger job market (9,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,593)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Brownsville grew 15.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Brownsville, TX

+15.0%

$32,660 (2019) → $37,560 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+13.2%

$42,020 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Brownsville or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,064/year, compared to Brownsville at $38,739/year — a difference of $10,325 (26.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brownsville and Dallas?

Brownsville dental assistants earn $18.63/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $23.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brownsville to Dallas as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brownsville and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brownsville = $45,058, Dallas = $47,593), job availability (330 vs 9,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Brownsville vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $30,952 in Brownsville and $37,976 in Dallas. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov