Dental Assistant Pay

Dallas vs Missouri City: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$49,064
$23.59/hr
Missouri City, TX
$45,062
$21.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXMissouri City, TX
Median Salary$49,064$45,062
Hourly Rate$23.59$21.66
Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,996
25th Percentile$46,795$40,620
75th Percentile$51,219$53,293
Top Earner (P90)$60,553$60,593
Total Employed9,01012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($49,064) and Missouri City ($45,062) dental assistant salaries.DallasMissouri CityMedian Salary$49,064$45,062Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,996Top Earner (P90)$60,553$60,593US Median $49,579

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Missouri City.

The salary gap between Dallas and Missouri City is $4,002 (8.88%). 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,Missouri City spans $26,597. Missouri City 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
Missouri City
P10 (Entry)$33,996
P25$40,620
Median$45,062
P75$53,293
P90 (Top)$60,593

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($47,593 effective) pays 1.39% more than Missouri City ($46,940 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $49,064
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $47,593
Missouri City
Nominal: $45,062
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $46,940

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)
  • Larger job market (9,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,593)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Missouri City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,593)
  • 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 Missouri City over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.2%

$42,020 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

Missouri City, TX

+3.3%

$42,298 (2024) → $43,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Dallas or Missouri City?

Dallas has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,064/year, compared to Missouri City at $45,062/year — a difference of $4,002 (8.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Missouri City?

Dallas dental assistants earn $23.59/hr while Missouri City hygienists earn $21.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Missouri City as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Missouri City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $47,593, Missouri City = $46,940), job availability (9,010 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,976 in Dallas and $33,996 in Missouri City. 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