Dental Assistant Salary in Brownsville, TX: $38,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Brownsville, TX earns a median $38,739/year (≈ $18.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $45,058 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Brownsville, TX, the average yearly compensation for dental assistants is projected to reach $38,739 by 2026, reflecting a significant departure from national figures where the median stands at $49,579. This disparity is influenced by the state's rules surrounding expanded functions for dental assistants, which allow those with additional credentials to earn higher wages. The salary range in Brownsville extends from $30,952 at the 10th percentile to $47,228 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Given the local employment of 330 dental assistants, this job market offers potential for steady growth driven by the ongoing demand for qualified dental professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,952 | $14.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,739 | $18.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,763 | $22.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,228 | $22.70 |
Median Salary Position
21.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,276 (2026 est.). At $38,739, the local median is 21.86% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $38,739/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,993 | -13.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -21.86% less |
Dental Assistants in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $38,739 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.86% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 13.90% below the Texas state average of $44,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $38,739 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,058 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,660
2025 BLS Actual
$37,560
2026 Current Est.
$38,739
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.0% from $32,660 (2019) to $37,560 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,296 (22.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $30,952 – $36,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,470 – $38,739 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,739 – $45,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,763 – $47,228 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Brownsville
Understanding the dental assistant pay in Brownsville, TX, involves more than just looking at numbers. With a cost-of-living index of 85.975, the purchasing power of this salary indicates a more favorable financial situation for dental assistants compared to national averages. Employers in the area, such as large dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, often provide competitive pay rates, particularly for those in specialty practices such as oral surgery or orthodontics. Factors contributing to the salary spread include the type of practice, the demand for expanded function dental assistants (EFDA), and roles that combine dental assisting with responsibilities as treatment coordinators. To maximize earnings, dental assistants should consider pursuing credentials such as DANB certification and exploring pathways from DA to registered dental hygienist (RDH), especially in a market increasingly shaped by DSO hiring practices.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 $37,560 for dental assistantsin the Brownsville 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