Dental Assistant Salary in Cedar Park, TX: $44,806 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Cedar Park, TX earns a median $44,806/year (≈ $21.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Cedar Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $46,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in Cedar Park, Texas, is $44,806, which reflects a competitive market even against the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the area extends from $33,348 at the 10th percentile to $59,616 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variance based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate how the dental assistant pay in Cedar Park TX benefits from the state's EFDA expanded function regulations. With a growing emphasis on specialized skills, professionals in Cedar Park can command higher earnings, particularly in specific practice settings, creating a dynamic job market.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,348 | $16.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,084 | $19.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,806 | $21.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,401 | $26.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,616 | $28.66 |
Median Salary Position
9.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Park
In Cedar Park, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,268 (2026 est.). At $44,806, the local median is 9.63% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Park Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Cedar Park median: $44,806/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,986 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -9.63% less |
Dental Assistants in Cedar Park, TX earn a median of $44,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $44,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Park has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,806 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,673 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,221
2025 BLS Actual
$43,442
2026 Current Est.
$44,806
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,505 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,059 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,806 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Park metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,221 (2019) to $43,442 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,992 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Park 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) | $33,348 – $40,084 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,084 – $44,806 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,806 – $55,401 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,401 – $59,616 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Cedar Park
The local job market for dental assistants in Cedar Park currently employs around 12 individuals, presenting opportunities despite the area’s cost-of-living index sitting at 96, which is slightly below the national average. This reality affects the purchasing power of dental assistants, impacting how much disposable income they have after essential expenses. Among local employers, dental assistant pay is typically higher in specialty practices like oral surgery and orthodontic offices compared to general dental practices. The variation in pay can often be attributed to the type of practice, the potential for roles that combine treatment coordination with assistant duties, and the presence of DSOs, such as Heartland or Aspen Dental, which provide standardized pay scales. For dental assistants aiming to maximize their earnings, seeking opportunities in these specialties or acquiring expanded function credentials can significantly enhance their salary potential in Cedar Park.
More salary data for Cedar Park, 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 $43,442 for dental assistantsin the Cedar Park 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
Salary data for Cedar Park 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