Dental Assistant Pay

Dallas vs Tyler: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$49,064
$23.59/hr
Tyler, TX
$39,595
$19.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXTyler, TX
Median Salary$49,064$39,595
Hourly Rate$23.59$19.04
Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,139
25th Percentile$46,795$37,708
75th Percentile$51,219$47,682
Top Earner (P90)$60,553$50,085
Total Employed9,010370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($49,064) and Tyler ($39,595) dental assistant salaries.DallasTylerMedian Salary$49,064$39,595Entry Level (P10)$37,976$33,139Top Earner (P90)$60,553$50,085US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Tyler is $9,469 (23.91%). 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,Tyler spans $16,946. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,976
P25$46,795
Median$49,064
P75$51,219
P90 (Top)$60,553
Tyler
P10 (Entry)$33,139
P25$37,708
Median$39,595
P75$47,682
P90 (Top)$50,085

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($47,593 effective) pays 10.77% more than Tyler ($42,965 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $49,064
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $47,593
Tyler
Nominal: $39,595
CoL Index: 92.156
Adjusted: $42,965

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 Tyler 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 3.1% growth in Tyler over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+13.2%

$42,020 (2019) → $47,570 (2025)

Tyler, TX

+3.1%

$37,220 (2019) → $38,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Dallas or Tyler?

Dallas has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,064/year, compared to Tyler at $39,595/year — a difference of $9,469 (23.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Tyler?

Dallas dental assistants earn $23.59/hr while Tyler hygienists earn $19.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Tyler. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $47,593, Tyler = $42,965), job availability (9,010 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,976 in Dallas and $33,139 in Tyler. 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