Dental Assistant Salary in Friendswood, TX: $43,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Friendswood, TX earns a median $43,498/year (≈ $20.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, Texas, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $43,498 in 2026, which represents a decrease of approximately 12.27% compared to the national median of $49,579 for that year. The salary spectrum for these professionals ranges from $36,162 at the 10th percentile to as high as $55,474 at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. Within this context, dental assistants in Friendswood can enhance their earning potential by pursuing specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics, which often provide a premium over general practices, making these positions particularly appealing within the local job market.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,162 | $17.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,498 | $20.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,468 | $25.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,474 | $26.67 |
Median Salary Position
12.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,312 (2026 est.). At $43,498, the local median is 12.27% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $43,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,983 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.27% less |
Dental Assistants in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $43,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.27% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $44,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,498 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,310 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
$35,164
2025 BLS Actual
$42,174
2026 Current Est.
$43,498
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,164 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,174 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,164 (2019) to $42,174 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,700 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $36,162 – $41,670 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,670 – $43,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,498 – $52,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,468 – $55,474 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Friendswood
The employment landscape for dental assistants in Friendswood consists of approximately eight professionals in the field, indicating a niche market with specific demand. With a cost-of-living index of 96, the take-home earnings for dental assistants may stretch further than in more expensive regions, though salaries remain slightly below the national average. Employers such as pediatric dental specialty offices and orthodontic practices typically offer some of the highest salaries, especially when considering roles that integrate expanded functions or hybrid responsibilities, like treatment coordinators. To maximize earning potential in Friendswood, dental assistants should seek out positions within DSO chains that may offer structured pay scales and opportunities for advancement, alongside obtaining relevant certifications through DANB or expanded function training, which can yield significant income increases in this evolving field.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Friendswood, TX in 2026?
Is Friendswood, TX a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Friendswood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Friendswood?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Friendswood?
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 $42,174 for dental assistantsin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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