Dental Assistant Pay

Houston vs The Colony: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$45,103
$21.68/hr
The Colony, TX
$44,015
$21.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$45,103$44,015
Hourly Rate$21.68$21.16
Entry Level (P10)$31,499$34,006
25th Percentile$38,121$40,118
75th Percentile$50,188$52,122
Top Earner (P90)$56,892$54,322
Total Employed8,1509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($45,103) and The Colony ($44,015) dental assistant salaries.HoustonThe ColonyMedian Salary$45,103$44,015Entry Level (P10)$31,499$34,006Top Earner (P90)$56,892$54,322US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and The Colony is $1,088 (2.47%). 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,The Colony spans $20,316. 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
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$34,006
P25$40,118
Median$44,015
P75$52,122
P90 (Top)$54,322

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Colony ($45,849 effective) pays 0.26% more than Houston ($45,730 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $45,103
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $45,730
The Colony
Nominal: $44,015
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $45,849

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,892)
  • Larger job market (8,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Colony if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,849)
  • 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 The Colony over the same period.

Houston, TX

+21.6%

$35,950 (2019) → $43,730 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+3.3%

$41,315 (2024) → $42,675 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Houston or The Colony?

Houston has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,103/year, compared to The Colony at $44,015/year — a difference of $1,088 (2.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and The Colony?

Houston dental assistants earn $21.68/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $21.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to The Colony as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $45,730, The Colony = $45,849), job availability (8,150 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $31,499 in Houston and $34,006 in The Colony. The The Colony area offers higher starting salaries.

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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