Dental Assistant Salary in Rockwall, TX: $43,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Rockwall, TX earns a median $43,257/year (≈ $20.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Rockwall's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,059 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in Rockwall, Texas, pursuing a career as a dental assistant can expect a median annual salary of $43,257, which is notably lower than the national median of $49,579. Salary ranges in this field are projected to span from $35,750 at the 10th percentile to $54,702 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying demand and specialization within the profession. These estimates, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, provide a realistic overview of the compensation landscape. The local job market shows potential for growth, especially with the rising demand in orthodontic and oral surgery practices, which typically offer premium pay due to the specialized skill sets required.
About the Rockwall Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,750 | $17.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,148 | $19.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,257 | $20.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,895 | $24.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,702 | $26.30 |
Median Salary Position
12.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockwall
In Rockwall, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,952 (2026 est.). At $43,257, the local median is 12.75% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockwall: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockwall Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Rockwall median: $43,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockwall Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,012 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.75% less |
Dental Assistants in Rockwall, TX earn a median of $43,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.90% below the Texas state average of $45,012.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockwall 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.
Rockwall, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,257 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,059 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,969
2025 BLS Actual
$41,940
2026 Current Est.
$43,257
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rockwall (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,929 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,104 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,604 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockwall metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $34,969 (2019) to $41,940 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,646 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockwall 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) | $35,750 – $41,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,148 – $43,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,257 – $51,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,895 – $54,702 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Rockwall
In Rockwall, the job market for dental assistants is relatively modest, with only 12 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The area's cost of living index stands at 96, indicating that while salaries may fall below the national average, residents enjoy a lower cost of living, which can enhance their purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most in Rockwall include specialty practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, reflecting the financial benefits of specialized training and expanded function credentials. The disparity in pay between general and specialized dental assistant roles is influenced by factors such as certifications from DANB or advanced training programs like EFDA, as well as whether the position incorporates treatment coordination responsibilities. To maximize earnings in this local market, dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking roles in specialty offices, and exploring opportunities in DSO chains where standardized pay scales support competitive compensation.
More salary data for Rockwall, 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 $41,940 for dental assistantsin the Rockwall 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 Rockwall 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