Dental Assistant Pay

San Antonio vs Victoria: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

San Antonio, TX
$47,362
$22.77/hr
Victoria, TX
$45,361
$21.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXVictoria, TX
Median Salary$47,362$45,361
Hourly Rate$22.77$21.81
Entry Level (P10)$38,121$32,561
25th Percentile$40,565$37,295
75th Percentile$48,631$48,424
Top Earner (P90)$50,662$64,762
Total Employed3,82090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($47,362) and Victoria ($45,361) dental assistant salaries.San AntonioVictoriaMedian Salary$47,362$45,361Entry Level (P10)$38,121$32,561Top Earner (P90)$50,662$64,762US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Antonio and Victoria is $2,001 (4.41%). 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,Victoria spans $32,201. Victoria 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
Victoria
P10 (Entry)$32,561
P25$37,295
Median$45,361
P75$48,424
P90 (Top)$64,762

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Victoria ($50,491 effective) pays 0.97% more than San Antonio ($50,004 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $47,362
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $50,004
Victoria
Nominal: $45,361
CoL Index: 89.839
Adjusted: $50,491

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)
  • Larger job market (3,820 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Victoria if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,762)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,491)
  • 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 18.6% growth in Victoria over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+25.1%

$36,700 (2019) → $45,920 (2025)

Victoria, TX

+18.6%

$37,070 (2019) → $43,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Antonio has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,362/year, compared to Victoria at $45,361/year — a difference of $2,001 (4.41%).

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

San Antonio dental assistants earn $22.77/hr while Victoria hygienists earn $21.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Victoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $50,004, Victoria = $50,491), job availability (3,820 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,121 in San Antonio and $32,561 in Victoria. 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