Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in College Station, TX: $21.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in College Station, TX runs $21.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,000 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against College Station's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,005 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In College Station, the projected dental assistant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $21.64, which sits below the national median of $23.84. This difference can significantly impact those who pursue part-time or per-diem work, as many dental assistants commonly take on shifts in various settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and oral surgery facilities. With an hourly range from $17.17 for entry-level positions to $24.41 for experienced professionals, individuals can find opportunities that fit their schedules, whether they are working three days a week or seeking per-diem roles. Understanding these figures is crucial for prospective dental assistants in College Station, where official Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides a clear snapshot of earning potential.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.17 | $137.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.79 | $142.33 |
| Median (P50) | $21.64 | $173.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.19 | $185.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.41 | $195.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in College Station
Based on $21.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.64/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in College Station, TX can expect to earn approximately $45,009 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,967. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in College Station.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in College Station
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $865.55 | $3,751 | $45,009 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $519.33 | $2,250 | $27,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $346.22 | $1,500 | $18,003 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (College Station) | $21.64 |
| 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 College Station, TX earn a median of $45,000 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.64/hr = $27,005/year (purchasing power: $29,692).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,009/year (purchasing power: $49,487).
CoL index: 90.951 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in College Station grew 27.0% from $16.52/hr (2019) to $20.98/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.32/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 College Station 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 College Station
For part-time dental assistants working a three-day week (approximately 24 hours), the earnings differ significantly compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting overall financial stability. Per-diem dental assistants may earn between $22 and $35 an hour, with those in specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics often receiving rates from $28 to $45. This variability highlights the dynamic nature of dental assistant hourly rates across different employer types, including solo practices, group settings, and DSO chains such as Heartland and Aspen. Many dental assistants in College Station must weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against the security offered by health insurance and other benefits. Negotiating hourly pay requires knowledge of the local market and understanding one’s worth, particularly as the dental field evolves with new hiring practices spurred by consolidation among larger dental service organizations.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in College Station in 2026?
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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 College Station. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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