Dental Assistant Pay

San Antonio vs Tomball: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

San Antonio, TX
$47,362
$22.77/hr
Tomball, TX
$41,269
$19.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXTomball, TX
Median Salary$47,362$41,269
Hourly Rate$22.77$19.84
Entry Level (P10)$38,121$34,117
25th Percentile$40,565$39,093
75th Percentile$48,631$48,001
Top Earner (P90)$50,662$49,383
Total Employed3,8205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($47,362) and Tomball ($41,269) dental assistant salaries.San AntonioTomballMedian Salary$47,362$41,269Entry Level (P10)$38,121$34,117Top Earner (P90)$50,662$49,383US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Antonio and Tomball is $6,093 (14.76%). 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 San Antonio spans $12,541,Tomball spans $15,266. Tomball has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$38,121
P25$40,565
Median$47,362
P75$48,631
P90 (Top)$50,662
Tomball
P10 (Entry)$34,117
P25$39,093
Median$41,269
P75$48,001
P90 (Top)$49,383

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($50,004 effective) pays 16.32% more than Tomball ($42,989 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $47,362
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $50,004
Tomball
Nominal: $41,269
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $42,989

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,362/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,662)
  • Larger job market (3,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,004)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Tomball if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in San Antonio grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Tomball over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+25.1%

$36,700 (2019) → $45,920 (2025)

Tomball, TX

+3.3%

$38,738 (2024) → $40,013 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Antonio has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,362/year, compared to Tomball at $41,269/year — a difference of $6,093 (14.76%).

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

San Antonio dental assistants earn $22.77/hr while Tomball hygienists earn $19.84/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Tomball. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $50,004, Tomball = $42,989), job availability (3,820 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,121 in San Antonio and $34,117 in Tomball. 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