Dental Assistant Salary in Nacogdoches, TX: $42,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Nacogdoches, TX earns a median $42,709/year (≈ $20.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Nacogdoches's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $44,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a dental assistant in Nacogdoches, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $42,709, significantly lower than the national median of $49,579. Salary levels in this market range from $34,367 at the 10th percentile to $52,863 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the distinction in pay scales across different employers. While DSOs (Dental Service Organizations) may offer standardized pay scales, dental assistants working in solo or group practices might enjoy greater flexibility in compensation arrangements. This local market reflects the evolving dynamics of dental employment, which can offer both challenges and opportunities for aspiring assistants.
About the Nacogdoches Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,367 | $16.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,024 | $18.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,709 | $20.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,636 | $24.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,863 | $25.41 |
Median Salary Position
13.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nacogdoches
In Nacogdoches, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,496 (2026 est.). At $42,709, the local median is 13.86% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nacogdoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nacogdoches Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Nacogdoches median: $42,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nacogdoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,004 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -13.86% less |
Dental Assistants in Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $42,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $45,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nacogdoches 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.
Nacogdoches, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $42,709 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,489 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,526
2025 BLS Actual
$41,409
2026 Current Est.
$42,709
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Nacogdoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,303 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,091 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nacogdoches metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $34,526 (2019) to $41,409 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,524 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nacogdoches 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) | $34,367 – $39,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,024 – $42,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,709 – $50,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,636 – $52,863 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Nacogdoches
With only seven dental assistants employed in Nacogdoches, the local job market is relatively small but stable, supported by a cost-of-living index of 96, which suggests a median income affords a decent purchasing power within the community. Among various types of dental practices, those in pediatric, orthodontic, and oral surgery specialties tend to offer the highest pay, with orthodontic practices often leading the compensation scale. The discrepancy between lower and higher salaries for dental assistants can be driven by several factors, including specialty experience, the presence of EFDAs in states that allow expanded function duties, or management roles like treatment coordinators. For those looking to optimize their earning potential in Nacogdoches, pursuing additional certifications from DANB or seeking roles within DSOs can be effective strategies to navigate the evolving compensation landscape in this market.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, 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 $41,409 for dental assistantsin the Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches 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