Dental Assistant Salary in Forney, TX: $44,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Forney, TX earns a median $44,126/year (≈ $21.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Forney's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for dental assistants in Forney, Texas, reflect the city's evolving dental market, with a projected median annual salary of $44,126 for 2026. This figure positions local dental assistant pay at about 11% below the national median of $49,579. The salary range here varies significantly, from $34,280 at the lower tenth percentile to $54,788 at the upper ninetieth. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate that while earnings for dental assistants may be lower than the national average, opportunities exist for growth. The dual nature of the Forney job market, where DSOs increasingly dominate the landscape yet solo practices offer greater flexibility, further shapes compensation structures in this area.
About the Forney Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,357 | $19.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,126 | $21.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,320 | $25.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,788 | $26.34 |
Median Salary Position
11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forney
In Forney, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,508 (2026 est.). At $44,126, the local median is 11% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forney Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Forney median: $44,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,981 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -11.00% less |
Dental Assistants in Forney, TX earn a median of $44,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.00% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% below the Texas state average of $44,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forney 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.
Forney, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,965 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$35,672
2025 BLS Actual
$42,783
2026 Current Est.
$44,126
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Forney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,672 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,408 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forney metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,672 (2019) to $42,783 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,840 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forney 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) | $34,280 – $40,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,357 – $44,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,126 – $52,320 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,320 – $54,788 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Forney
In Forney, the employment landscape for dental assistants reveals a modest market strength with just six professionals employed in this field. The cost of living index at 96 suggests that residents face lower living expenses compared to the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of a dental assistant salary in Forney. Among different employers, general dental practices and larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically provide higher pay compared to smaller clinics or specialty offices. Factors that influence the substantial variation in pay include specialization, credentials such as the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) where permitted, and the tiered pay structure associated with DSO chains. The best strategies to maximize dental assistant pay in Forney include pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in clinics with a broader range of services or specialties, and considering hybrid roles that combine treatment coordination with dental assisting duties. As the market evolves, adapting to the needs of local employers while enhancing professional qualifications can lead to better compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Forney, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Forney, TX in 2026?
Is Forney, TX a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Forney?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Forney?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Forney?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $42,783 for dental assistantsin the Forney 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 Forney 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