Dental Assistant Salary in Huntsville, TX: $43,949 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Huntsville, TX earns a median $43,949/year (≈ $21.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Huntsville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,780 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Huntsville, Texas can expect a median annual salary of $43,949. This figure positions local compensation significantly below the national median of $49,579. Salary estimates range from $33,845 at the lowest 10% to $56,819 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market responsive to various employment types. The presence of both DSO chains and solo practices plays a key role in how these salaries unfold. DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen offer standardized pay scales that can lead to stable, albeit often lower, salaries compared to the flexibility found in solo practices, where wages may vary based on individual practice profitability and workload.
About the Huntsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,845 | $16.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,976 | $19.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,949 | $21.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,017 | $24.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,819 | $27.32 |
Median Salary Position
11.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntsville
In Huntsville, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,974 (2026 est.). At $43,949, the local median is 11.36% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntsville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Huntsville median: $43,949/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,984 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -11.36% less |
Dental Assistants in Huntsville, TX earn a median of $43,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.36% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.30% below the Texas state average of $44,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntsville 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.
Huntsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,949 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,780 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,528
2025 BLS Actual
$42,611
2026 Current Est.
$43,949
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,503 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,949 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntsville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,528 (2019) to $42,611 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,801 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville 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) | $33,845 – $39,976 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,976 – $43,949 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,949 – $51,017 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,017 – $56,819 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Huntsville
Huntsville’s job market includes only 11 dental assistants, suggesting a relatively small pool of professionals, which may impact wage rates. The cost of living index in Huntsville is at 96, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This affordability could enhance take-home pay for dental assistants, despite the salaries being somewhat lower. In terms of pay structure, general dental practices typically pay less than specialized offices like orthodontics and oral surgery, where salaries are often higher due to the advanced skills required. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing an EFDA credential where state regulations allow can be beneficial, as it often leads to higher salaries and expanded responsibilities. Additionally, those willing to take on hybrid roles, such as treatment coordination, may also see improved compensation alongside opportunities for mentoring positions. Understanding these dynamics will help dental assistants navigate their potential income in Huntsville, TX effectively.
More salary data for Huntsville, 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 $42,611 for dental assistantsin the Huntsville 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 Huntsville 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