Dental Assistant Pay

Houston vs Kyle: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$45,103
$21.68/hr
Kyle, TX
$44,352
$21.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKyle, TX
Median Salary$45,103$44,352
Hourly Rate$21.68$21.32
Entry Level (P10)$31,499$35,879
25th Percentile$38,121$41,794
75th Percentile$50,188$54,336
Top Earner (P90)$56,892$58,113
Total Employed8,15013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($45,103) and Kyle ($44,352) dental assistant salaries.HoustonKyleMedian Salary$45,103$44,352Entry Level (P10)$31,499$35,879Top Earner (P90)$56,892$58,113US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Kyle is $751 (1.69%). Houston's median is -9.03% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $25,393,Kyle spans $22,234. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$31,499
P25$38,121
Median$45,103
P75$50,188
P90 (Top)$56,892
Kyle
P10 (Entry)$35,879
P25$41,794
Median$44,352
P75$54,336
P90 (Top)$58,113

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kyle ($46,200 effective) pays 1.03% more than Houston ($45,730 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $45,103
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $45,730
Kyle
Nominal: $44,352
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $46,200

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,103/year)
  • Larger job market (8,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kyle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,113)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,200)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Houston grew 21.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Kyle over the same period.

Houston, TX

+21.6%

$35,950 (2019) → $43,730 (2025)

Kyle, TX

+3.3%

$41,632 (2024) → $43,002 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Houston or Kyle?

Houston has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,103/year, compared to Kyle at $44,352/year — a difference of $751 (1.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kyle?

Houston dental assistants earn $21.68/hr while Kyle hygienists earn $21.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kyle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $45,730, Kyle = $46,200), job availability (8,150 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $31,499 in Houston and $35,879 in Kyle. The Kyle 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