Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Odessa, TX: $21.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Odessa, TX runs $21.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Odessa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,417 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Odessa, Texas, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $21.97, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This pay structure reflects a stable opportunity for those entering the profession, providing a solid income for individuals working part-time, typically three days a week. For these part-time workers, who typically engage with patients in general dentistry operatories or specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, this hourly rate allows for manageable earnings even if they aren't working full-time hours. Entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $17.68 per hour, while seasoned professionals can potentially reach up to $29.05 per hour depending on their experience and the specific demands of their roles. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.68 | $141.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.25 | $145.96 |
| Median (P50) | $21.97 | $175.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.21 | $185.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.05 | $232.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Odessa
Based on $21.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.97/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Odessa, TX can expect to earn approximately $45,695 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,363. With a cost-of-living index of 93.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Odessa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Odessa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $878.75 | $3,808 | $45,695 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.25 | $2,285 | $27,417 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.50 | $1,523 | $18,278 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Odessa) | $21.97 |
| 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 Odessa, TX earn a median of $45,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.84% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.50% above the Texas state average of $45,016.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.97/hr = $27,417/year (purchasing power: $29,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,695/year (purchasing power: $48,666).
CoL index: 93.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Odessa grew 11.1% from $19.17/hr (2019) to $21.30/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.66/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 Odessa 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 Odessa
Considering the part-time earning potential in Odessa, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week (three 8-hour shifts) would take home around $27,826 annually. In contrast, those who work per diem might experience different earning scenarios, billing between $22 and $35 per hour, especially in high-demand settings like oral surgery or orthodontics, where per diem rates can soar to $28-$45 per hour. Hourly rates will vary not just based on employer types—ranging from general practices to specialty clinics—but also due to benefits offered. Some may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, while others prefer the flexibility of higher pay without benefits. For dental assistants navigating the job market, focusing on skill enhancement and obtaining certifications through organizations like DANB could facilitate salary negotiations and open doors to higher-paying opportunities across Odessa's diverse dental care environment.
More salary data for Odessa, 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 Odessa. 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