Dental Assistant Salary in Odessa, TX: $45,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Odessa, TX earns a median $45,691/year (≈ $21.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Odessa's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $48,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $45,691 for dental assistants in Odessa by 2026, the pay structure is quite competitive when considering the local job market. Salary ranges significantly vary from $36,759 at the 10th percentile to $60,430 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a range of opportunities available in this area. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected forward, highlights the employment landscape where Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen Dental have established standardized pay-scale systems in contrast to the flexibility often found in solo practices. As the demand for dental assistance continues to grow, the dynamics of pay in Odessa will be shaped by the evolving preferences of employers and the skills offered by dental assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,759 | $17.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,956 | $18.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,691 | $21.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,270 | $23.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,430 | $29.05 |
Median Salary Position
7.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odessa
In Odessa, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,671 (2026 est.). At $45,691, the local median is 7.84% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Odessa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Odessa Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Odessa median: $45,691/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Odessa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,016 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -7.84% less |
Dental Assistants in Odessa, TX earn a median of $45,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.84% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.50% above the Texas state average of $45,016.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Odessa has a cost of living 6.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Odessa, TX has a cost-of-living index of 93.896 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,691 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,661 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,860
2025 BLS Actual
$44,300
2026 Current Est.
$45,691
2019–2027 Growth
+18.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odessa metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 11.1% from $39,860 (2019) to $44,300 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,266 (18.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odessa 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) | $36,759 – $37,956 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,956 – $45,691 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,691 – $48,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,270 – $60,430 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Odessa
The job market for dental assistants in Odessa, TX, currently employs about 150 professionals, presenting a steady demand for skilled workers in the field. With a cost of living index sitting at 93.896, which is below the national average, many dental assistants can enjoy an enhanced purchasing power relative to salaries. Among local employers, orthodontic practices and oral surgery centers tend to offer the highest compensation, reflecting the specialized skills required in these fields. The variation in pay can also be attributed to roles with expanded function authority, which can command 25-40% higher wages in states that permit it, along with the influence of the DSO chain pay tiers and the possibility of mentorship stipends for lead dental assistants. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certification from DANB, exploring expanded function opportunities, and considering positions in specialty offices can be strategic ways to enhance one's career path and salary potential within the Odessa market.
More salary data for Odessa, 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 $44,300 for dental assistantsin the Odessa 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