Dental Assistant Pay

New Braunfels vs San Antonio: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

New Braunfels, TX
$47,773
$22.97/hr
San Antonio, TX
$47,362
$22.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Braunfels, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$47,773$47,362
Hourly Rate$22.97$22.77
Entry Level (P10)$35,632$38,121
25th Percentile$42,904$40,565
75th Percentile$57,385$48,631
Top Earner (P90)$60,937$50,662
Total Employed153,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Braunfels ($47,773) and San Antonio ($47,362) dental assistant salaries.New BraunfelsSan AntonioMedian Salary$47,773$47,362Entry Level (P10)$35,632$38,121Top Earner (P90)$60,937$50,662US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Braunfels and San Antonio is $411 (0.87%). New Braunfels's median is -3.64% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Braunfels spans $25,305,San Antonio spans $12,541. New Braunfels has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Braunfels
P10 (Entry)$35,632
P25$42,904
Median$47,773
P75$57,385
P90 (Top)$60,937
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 0.48% more than New Braunfels ($49,764 effective).

New Braunfels
Nominal: $47,773
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $49,764
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 New Braunfels if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,773/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,937)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • 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 New Braunfels grew 9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.1% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

New Braunfels, TX

+9.8%

$42,181 (2024) → $46,319 (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: New Braunfels or San Antonio?

New Braunfels has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,773/year, compared to San Antonio at $47,362/year — a difference of $411 (0.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Braunfels and San Antonio?

New Braunfels dental assistants earn $22.97/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $22.77/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Braunfels and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Braunfels = $49,764, San Antonio = $50,004), job availability (15 vs 3,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,632 in New Braunfels and $38,121 in San Antonio. The San Antonio area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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