Dental Assistant Salary in Laredo, TX: $39,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Laredo, TX earns a median $39,090/year (≈ $18.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Laredo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.0), that paycheck buys what $44,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Laredo, TX, dental assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $39,090 in 2026, presenting a notable contrast compared to the national median of $49,579. This market reflects a salary range spanning from $30,973 at the lower end (P10) to $46,568 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The local dental market is influenced by employment structures, where dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen Dentistry often follow a standard pay-scale system. In contrast, dental practices operating independently may offer greater pay flexibility, potentially impacting overall compensation for dental assistants in Laredo.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,973 | $14.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,584 | $17.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,103 | $21.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,568 | $22.39 |
Median Salary Position
21.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laredo
In Laredo, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,595 (2026 est.). At $39,090, the local median is 21.16% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laredo: You'd be above the median
How Laredo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Laredo median: $39,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laredo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,983 | -13.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -21.16% less |
Dental Assistants in Laredo, TX earn a median of $39,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 13.10% below the Texas state average of $44,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laredo has a cost of living 13.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laredo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 86.956 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $39,090 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,130
2025 BLS Actual
$37,900
2026 Current Est.
$39,090
2019–2027 Growth
+14.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Laredo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,317 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laredo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 7.9% from $35,130 (2019) to $37,900 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,187 (14.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laredo 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) | $30,973 – $36,584 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,584 – $39,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,090 – $45,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,103 – $46,568 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Laredo
With approximately 190 dental assistants currently employed in the area, the job market in Laredo shows reasonable activity, although the cost of living index stands at 86.956, suggesting that take-home pay provides a comfortable lifestyle relative to many other regions. Generally, DSOs tend to pay higher salaries compared to general dental practices, which mostly offer basic dental services. The disparity in wages often hinges on the type of dental specialty; for example, positions in orthodontic and oral surgery practices often command higher salaries due to the complexity of procedures. Additionally, dental assistants holding expanded function credentials may see a significant pay boost—25% to 40% more in states that permit these roles. To maximize earning potential in Laredo, pursuing EFDA certification, gaining experience in specialized practices, and considering hybrid roles, such as treatment coordinators, may enhance opportunities for higher pay within this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Laredo, 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 $37,900 for dental assistantsin the Laredo 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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