Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Cedar Park, TX: $21.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Cedar Park, TX runs $21.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,806 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Cedar Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,889 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Park, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $21.55, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This discrepancy highlights a regional variation in compensation for dental assistants within Texas. For those considering part-time or per-diem roles in various settings—including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and oral surgery suites—this hourly figure translates to a tangible wage that can support varying lifestyles. The hourly pay for dental assistants in Cedar Park ranges from $16.03 at the entry-level (P10) to $28.66 for top earners (P90), indicating potential for career progression and specialization within the field.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.03 | $128.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.27 | $154.13 |
| Median (P50) | $21.55 | $172.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.63 | $213.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.66 | $229.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Park
Based on $21.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.55/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Park, TX can expect to earn approximately $44,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,855. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $861.84 | $3,735 | $44,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $517.10 | $2,241 | $26,889 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.74 | $1,494 | $17,926 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Cedar Park) | $21.55 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Cedar Park, TX earn a median of $44,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $44,986.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.55/hr = $26,889/year (purchasing power: $28,010).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,816/year (purchasing power: $46,683).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Cedar Park grew 19.9% from $17.42/hr (2019) to $20.89/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.22/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Cedar Park
By working part-time, such as three days a week totaling about 24 hours, a dental assistant in Cedar Park could realistically earn around $26,544 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. When exploring per-diem options, dental assistants might find enhanced earning potential, as per diem rates typically range from $22 to $35, with those in specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics commanding even higher rates between $28 and $45 per hour. Earning variations are further influenced by the type of employer, ranging from general dental practices and pediatric specialties to dental school clinics. While some may trade a higher hourly wage for substantial benefits like health insurance, others may focus solely on maximizing their earnings. Negotiation remains crucial in this competitive environment, particularly when aiming to secure positions with DSOs that may offer standardized pay scales but also introduce a broader range of operational policies affecting compensation.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Cedar Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov