Dental Assistant Salary in Little Elm, TX: $43,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Little Elm, TX earns a median $43,665/year (≈ $20.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Little Elm's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Little Elm, TX, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $43,665, which reveals a notable variance when compared to the national median of $49,579. This local salary range for dental assistants spans from $33,161 at the 10th percentile to $53,321 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the market dynamics influenced by specialized practices. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations further contextualize these salary figures. Notably, positions within oral surgery and orthodontics tend to command higher wages, which can significantly enhance overall compensation for dental assistants in Little Elm.
About the Little Elm Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,161 | $15.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,034 | $20.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,665 | $20.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,229 | $24.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,321 | $25.63 |
Median Salary Position
11.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Elm
In Little Elm, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,160 (2026 est.). At $43,665, the local median is 11.93% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Elm: You'd be above the median
How Little Elm Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Little Elm median: $43,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Elm Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,016 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -11.93% less |
Dental Assistants in Little Elm, TX earn a median of $43,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $45,016.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Elm 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.
Little Elm, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,299
2025 BLS Actual
$42,336
2026 Current Est.
$43,665
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Little Elm (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,989 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,036 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Elm metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,299 (2019) to $42,336 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,036 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,737 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Elm 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) | $33,161 – $42,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,034 – $43,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,665 – $51,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,229 – $53,321 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Little Elm
The local job market for dental assistants shows a modest scale, with only 12 professionals currently employed in the area. Given Little Elm's cost-of-living index of 96, salaries must be analyzed against local purchasing power, underscoring the relative affordability of living in this community. Among the various employers, practices specializing in orthodontics and oral surgery typically offer the highest compensation, while general dental practices, pediatric offices, and chains like Heartland and Aspen also contribute competitively. Factors influencing pay variability include specialty roles, expanded function authority, and whether roles encompass hybrid responsibilities like treatment coordination. To maximize earnings in this specific market, pursuing advanced credentials such as EFDA, seeking employment with DSO chains that often have tiered pay scales, and taking on leadership roles can significantly enhance salary potential.
More salary data for Little Elm, 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 $42,336 for dental assistantsin the Little Elm 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 Little Elm 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