Dental Assistant Salary in Sugar Land, TX: $44,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Sugar Land, TX earns a median $44,870/year (≈ $21.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Sugar Land's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $46,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sugar Land, TX, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 highlights a competitive market, with an estimated median annual pay of $44,870, which is about 9.5% below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants reflects a wide variation, starting from $35,001 at the lower end (P10) to a peak of $59,323 (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to consider regional price levels. A key factor influencing pay in this region is Texas's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations, allowing for a broader scope of responsibilities, which often results in higher compensation compared to traditional dental assistant roles. With an employment pool of 21 professionals, the local job market is steadily maintaining its demand for skilled dental assistants.
About the Sugar Land Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,001 | $16.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,422 | $19.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,870 | $21.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,995 | $26.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,323 | $28.52 |
Median Salary Position
9.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,322 (2026 est.). At $44,870, the local median is 9.5% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sugar Land: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sugar Land Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Sugar Land median: $44,870/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sugar Land Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,005 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -9.50% less |
Dental Assistants in Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $44,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.50% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $45,005.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sugar Land 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.
Sugar Land, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,870 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,273
2025 BLS Actual
$43,504
2026 Current Est.
$44,870
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sugar Land (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,273 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,119 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,118 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,504 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,273 (2019) to $43,504 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,006 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sugar Land 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) | $35,001 – $41,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,422 – $44,870 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,870 – $54,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,995 – $59,323 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Sugar Land
Cost of living plays a significant role in determining the practical value of dental assistant pay in Sugar Land, where the cost-of-living index is 96, indicating affordability compared to the national average. Dental practices offering the highest salaries often include specialty offices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, as well as well-structured DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, where pay scales can create notable pay differences. On the lower end, general dentistry practices may provide less compensation, influenced by their operational dynamics. For those looking to maximize their income, pursuing specialization through EFDA certification or exploring treatment coordinator hybrid roles can yield substantial returns. Additionally, staying connected with the evolving job market and engaging with organizations like the ADAA can provide valuable insights into opportunities for career advancement and financial growth within Sugar Land's dental assisting field.
More salary data for Sugar Land, 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 $43,504 for dental assistantsin the Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land 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