Dental Assistant Salary in Mission, TX: $38,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Mission, TX earns a median $38,741/year (≈ $18.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Mission's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $40,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Mission, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $38,741, a figure considerably lower than the national median of $49,579. Salary ranges for this role span from $29,069 at the 10th percentile to $51,797 at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlighting the impact of local market dynamics on earnings. The local job market reflects a blend of employment opportunities between solo practices and larger dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. While DSOs typically offer standardized pay scales, solo practices may provide greater flexibility, influencing how much dental assistants can earn in this region.
About the Mission Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,069 | $13.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,804 | $16.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,741 | $18.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,759 | $22.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,797 | $24.90 |
Median Salary Position
21.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mission
In Mission, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,728 (2026 est.). At $38,741, the local median is 21.86% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mission: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mission Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Mission median: $38,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mission Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $44,996 | -13.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -21.86% less |
Dental Assistants in Mission, TX earn a median of $38,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.86% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 13.90% below the Texas state average of $44,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mission 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.
Mission, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $38,741 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,319
2025 BLS Actual
$37,562
2026 Current Est.
$38,741
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mission (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,319 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,178 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,022 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,562 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mission metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $31,319 (2019) to $37,562 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,639 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mission 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) | $29,069 – $34,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,804 – $38,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,741 – $45,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,759 – $51,797 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Mission
The dental assistant job market in Mission is relatively stable, with 22 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index stands at 96, indicating that the area's expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. Among employers, those in specialized fields such as orthodontics and oral surgery tend to offer higher compensation compared to general dental offices. Variations in pay can also stem from factors like the level of specialization, credentialing, and responsibilities taken on by dental assistants. For instance, expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) who hold state-approved credentials or those who take on hybrid roles as treatment coordinators may secure significantly higher wages. For those in Mission looking to maximize their salary, obtaining additional certifications through entities like DANB or pursuing roles in higher-paying specialties may provide a pathway to increased earnings.
More salary data for Mission, 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 $37,562 for dental assistantsin the Mission 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 Mission 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