Dental Assistant Pay

Conroe vs Houston: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Conroe, TX
$45,643
$21.95/hr
Houston, TX
$45,103
$21.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConroe, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$45,643$45,103
Hourly Rate$21.95$21.68
Entry Level (P10)$35,386$31,499
25th Percentile$40,859$38,121
75th Percentile$54,764$50,188
Top Earner (P90)$57,883$56,892
Total Employed158,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conroe ($45,643) and Houston ($45,103) dental assistant salaries.ConroeHoustonMedian Salary$45,643$45,103Entry Level (P10)$35,386$31,499Top Earner (P90)$57,883$56,892US Median $49,579

Verdict

Conroe, TX offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.

The salary gap between Conroe and Houston is $540 (1.20%). Conroe's median is -7.94% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conroe spans $22,497,Houston spans $25,393. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Conroe
P10 (Entry)$35,386
P25$40,859
Median$45,643
P75$54,764
P90 (Top)$57,883
Houston
P10 (Entry)$31,499
P25$38,121
Median$45,103
P75$50,188
P90 (Top)$56,892

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conroe ($47,545 effective) pays 3.97% more than Houston ($45,730 effective).

Conroe
Nominal: $45,643
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $47,545
Houston
Nominal: $45,103
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $45,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conroe if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,643/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,883)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,545)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (8,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Conroe grew 3.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Conroe, TX

+3.3%

$42,843 (2024) → $44,253 (2025)

Houston, TX

+21.6%

$35,950 (2019) → $43,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Conroe or Houston?

Conroe has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,643/year, compared to Houston at $45,103/year — a difference of $540 (1.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conroe and Houston?

Conroe dental assistants earn $21.95/hr while Houston hygienists earn $21.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conroe to Houston as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conroe and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conroe = $47,545, Houston = $45,730), job availability (15 vs 8,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Conroe vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,386 in Conroe and $31,499 in Houston. The Conroe 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