Dental Assistant Salary in Austin, TX: $50,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Austin, TX earns a median $50,023/year (≈ $24.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $51,010 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Austin, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $50,023, slightly above the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role stretches from $37,780 at the lower 10th percentile to $66,463 at the 90th percentile, indicating a notable potential for career advancement and specialization. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the premium salaries that dental assistants can achieve, particularly in specialties like oral surgery and orthodontics. As the job market for dental assistants grows, these higher-paying opportunities reflect Austin's expanding healthcare landscape, offering an attractive incentive for professionals seeking to advance their careers in the dental field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,771 | $19.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,023 | $24.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,254 | $28.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,463 | $31.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,683 (2026 est.). At $50,023, the local median is 0.9% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $50,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,985 | +11.20% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.90% more |
Dental Assistants in Austin, TX earn a median of $50,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 11.20% above the Texas state average of $44,985.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $50,023 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,010 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,880
2025 BLS Actual
$48,500
2026 Current Est.
$50,023
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,594 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.8% from $41,880 (2019) to $48,500 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,594 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,714 (23.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,780 – $40,771 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,771 – $50,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,023 – $60,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,254 – $66,463 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Austin
A robust market for dental assistants exists in Austin, with approximately 3,010 currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, registering at 98.066, indicates that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power can vary greatly. Employers in Austin that typically offer the highest pay include orthodontic and oral surgery practices, as well as some pediatric dental offices. The disparity in compensation can often be attributed to the specialty of the practice, with those working in high-demand areas generally earning more. Strategies for maximizing pay in Austin's dental assistant roles include pursuing expanded function credentials like EFDA, which can lead to significant pay increases. Joining a dental support organization (DSO) may also provide more structured pay scales and opportunities for advancement compared to independent practices. Engaging in continuing education and obtaining certifications from recognized bodies like DANB or ADAA can further enhance career prospects and earning potential in Austin TX.
More salary data for Austin, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,500 for dental assistantsin the Austin metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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