Dental Assistant Pay

Fredericksburg vs San Antonio: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Fredericksburg, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fredericksburg, TX
$42,366
$20.37/hr
San Antonio, TX
$47,362
$22.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFredericksburg, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$42,366$47,362
Hourly Rate$20.37$22.77
Entry Level (P10)$35,577$38,121
25th Percentile$40,535$40,565
75th Percentile$50,554$48,631
Top Earner (P90)$52,759$50,662
Total Employed53,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fredericksburg ($42,366) and San Antonio ($47,362) dental assistant salaries.FredericksburgSan AntonioMedian Salary$42,366$47,362Entry Level (P10)$35,577$38,121Top Earner (P90)$52,759$50,662US Median $49,579

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fredericksburg.

The salary gap between Fredericksburg and San Antonio is $4,996 (11.79%). San Antonio's median is -4.47% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fredericksburg spans $17,182,San Antonio spans $12,541. Fredericksburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fredericksburg
P10 (Entry)$35,577
P25$40,535
Median$42,366
P75$50,554
P90 (Top)$52,759
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$38,121
P25$40,565
Median$47,362
P75$48,631
P90 (Top)$50,662

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($50,004 effective) pays 13.31% more than Fredericksburg ($44,131 effective).

Fredericksburg
Nominal: $42,366
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $44,131
San Antonio
Nominal: $47,362
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $50,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fredericksburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,759)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,362/year)
  • Larger job market (3,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,004)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Fredericksburg grew 3.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.1% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Fredericksburg, TX

+3.3%

$39,768 (2024) → $41,076 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+25.1%

$36,700 (2019) → $45,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Fredericksburg or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,362/year, compared to Fredericksburg at $42,366/year — a difference of $4,996 (11.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fredericksburg and San Antonio?

Fredericksburg dental assistants earn $20.37/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $22.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fredericksburg to San Antonio as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fredericksburg and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fredericksburg = $44,131, San Antonio = $50,004), job availability (5 vs 3,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Fredericksburg vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,577 in Fredericksburg and $38,121 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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