Dental Assistant Salary in Grand Prairie, TX: $45,473 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Grand Prairie, TX earns a median $45,473/year (≈ $21.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Grand Prairie's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $47,368 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Grand Prairie, TX is projected to reach a median annual figure of $45,473, slightly below the national median of $49,579. Salaries for dental assistants in this area will vary significantly, with a range from $32,807 at the 10th percentile to $61,234 at the 90th percentile. This wide spread reflects the influence of specialty practices, particularly in oral surgery and orthodontics, which tend to offer higher compensation due to the skill sets required. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost adjustments, important for understanding the local job market dynamics in Grand Prairie.
About the Grand Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,807 | $15.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,705 | $20.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,473 | $21.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,502 | $27.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,234 | $29.44 |
Median Salary Position
8.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Prairie
In Grand Prairie, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,427 (2026 est.). At $45,473, the local median is 8.28% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Prairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Prairie Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Prairie median: $45,473/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Prairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,979 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -8.28% less |
Dental Assistants in Grand Prairie, TX earn a median of $45,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% above the Texas state average of $44,979.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Prairie 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.
Grand Prairie, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,473 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,368 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,761
2025 BLS Actual
$44,089
2026 Current Est.
$45,473
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Grand Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,761 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,108 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,089 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,473 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,901 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Prairie metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,761 (2019) to $44,089 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,901 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,140 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Prairie 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) | $32,807 – $42,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,705 – $45,473 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,473 – $56,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,502 – $61,234 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Grand Prairie
The job market for dental assistants in Grand Prairie includes around 43 employed DAs, indicating steady demand in the locality. With a cost-of-living index of 96, the area offers some affordability which can boost take-home pay. Employers that typically provide higher compensation include specialized offices such as orthodontic and oral surgery practices, which may pay substantially more than general dental clinics. Factors influencing pay levels include the role's specialty, any expanded function credentials held by the assistant, and the type of practice, with DSO chains often applying uniform pay scales. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing roles in specialized practices and obtaining EFDA credentials where applicable can enhance earning potential. Additionally, considering hybrid roles, such as treatment coordinators, can offer further financial benefits in a competitive marketplace.
More salary data for Grand Prairie, 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 $44,089 for dental assistantsin the Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie 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