Dental Assistant Pay

Dallas vs Huntsville: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$49,064
$23.59/hr
Huntsville, TX
$43,949
$21.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXHuntsville, TX
Median Salary$49,064$43,949
Hourly Rate$23.59$21.13
Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,845
25th Percentile$46,795$39,976
75th Percentile$51,219$51,017
Top Earner (P90)$60,553$56,819
Total Employed9,01011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($49,064) and Huntsville ($43,949) dental assistant salaries.DallasHuntsvilleMedian Salary$49,064$43,949Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,845Top Earner (P90)$60,553$56,819US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Huntsville is $5,115 (11.64%). 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 Dallas spans $22,577,Huntsville spans $22,974. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,976
P25$46,795
Median$49,064
P75$51,219
P90 (Top)$60,553
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$33,845
P25$39,976
Median$43,949
P75$51,017
P90 (Top)$56,819

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($47,593 effective) pays 3.96% more than Huntsville ($45,780 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $49,064
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $47,593
Huntsville
Nominal: $43,949
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $45,780

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Huntsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Dallas grew 13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.2%

$42,020 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

Huntsville, TX

+3.3%

$41,253 (2024) → $42,611 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Dallas or Huntsville?

Dallas has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,064/year, compared to Huntsville at $43,949/year — a difference of $5,115 (11.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Huntsville?

Dallas dental assistants earn $23.59/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $21.13/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $47,593, Huntsville = $45,780), job availability (9,010 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,976 in Dallas and $33,845 in Huntsville. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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