Dental Assistant Salary in Pasadena, TX: $44,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Pasadena, TX earns a median $44,513/year (≈ $21.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $46,368 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, TX, dental assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $44,513 as of 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $49,579. Salaries in the area span a range from $34,700 at the lower 10th percentile to $58,706 at the 90th percentile. These calculations are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 while factoring in regional cost adjustments. Specialized roles, particularly in orthodontics and oral surgery, tend to command higher salaries, reflecting the growing demand for these services within the local job market. Employers in Pasadena are adapting to the competitive landscape by offering incentives that cater to both skill level and specialty focus.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,700 | $16.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,076 | $19.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,513 | $21.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,706 | $28.22 |
Median Salary Position
10.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,006 (2026 est.). At $44,513, the local median is 10.22% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $44,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,008 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -10.22% less |
Dental Assistants in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $44,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% below the Texas state average of $45,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena 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.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,513 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,368 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,984
2025 BLS Actual
$43,158
2026 Current Est.
$44,513
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,984 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,784 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,104 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,158 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,984 (2019) to $43,158 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,927 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $34,700 – $41,076 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,076 – $44,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,513 – $54,610 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,610 – $58,706 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Pasadena
The local market employs about 32 dental assistants, reflecting a steady demand in Pasadena. With a cost of living index of 96, the purchasing power for dental assistant pay in Pasadena, TX, remains relatively favorable compared to other urban areas. The highest-paying opportunities typically arise within oral surgery and orthodontic practices, as well as pediatric dental specialty offices. The pay discrepancy can often be attributed to factors such as specialty credentials, such as the EFDA designation, which can lead to earnings that are 25-40% higher in permissive states. To maximize earnings, prospective dental assistants should consider pursuing the EFDA credential where possible, leveraging roles within DSO chains which often provide standardized pay scales, or targeting practices that offer hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Pasadena, TX in 2026?
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Pasadena?
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Related Pages
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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 $43,158 for dental assistantsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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