Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in The Colony, TX: $21.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in The Colony, TX runs $21.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against The Colony's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,413 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in The Colony, TX can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $21.16, which falls below the national median of $23.84 per hour. This pay structure significantly influences part-time employees working typical schedules of three days a week, as well as those taking advantage of per-diem opportunities within general dentistry settings, orthodontic practices, and oral surgery. For entry-level dental assistants, the hourly rate starts at approximately $16.35, while top earners in specialty fields can make up to $26.12 an hour. Since these numbers are derived from annual salary estimates, they provide a useful framework for understanding the range of compensation available within various dental practices in The Colony.
About the The Colony 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) | $16.35 | $130.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.29 | $154.30 |
| Median (P50) | $21.16 | $169.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.06 | $200.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.12 | $208.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in The Colony
Based on $21.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.16/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in The Colony, TX can expect to earn approximately $44,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,397. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in The Colony.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in The Colony
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $846.57 | $3,668 | $44,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $507.94 | $2,201 | $26,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $338.63 | $1,467 | $17,609 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (The Colony) | $21.16 |
| 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 The Colony, TX earn a median of $44,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.20% below the Texas state average of $45,005.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.16/hr = $26,413/year (purchasing power: $27,514).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,022/year (purchasing power: $45,856).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in The Colony (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in The Colony grew 19.9% from $17.11/hr (2019) to $20.52/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.83/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 The Colony 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 The Colony
Evaluating part-time earnings, a dental assistant working 24 hours per week can expect to bring home around $26,000 annually, in stark contrast to full-time salaries that significantly increase earning potential. Per-diem dental assistants in The Colony can earn between $22 and $35 per hour for general assignments, while those in specialized fields, such as oral surgery and orthodontics, may command rates between $28 and $45 per hour. Different types of employers, from solo practices to large DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, may offer varied compensation rates. Additionally, some dental assistants may choose lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, affecting their overall financial strategy. For those negotiating their pay, awareness of the local market and demonstrating relevant credentials or experience can provide leverage, especially given the consolidation trends in dental support organizations that have standardized wages across the industry.
More salary data for The Colony, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in The Colony in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in The Colony?
Are dental assistants in The Colony paid hourly or salary?
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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 The Colony. 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 The Colony 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