Dental Assistant Salary in University Park, TX: $42,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in University Park, TX earns a median $42,633/year (≈ $20.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in University Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $44,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in University Park, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $42,633 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $49,579 for the same year. The projected salary range for dental assistants here spans from $33,956 at the 10th percentile to $53,599 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variation in compensation based on experience, specialty, and practice type. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and reflect adjustments for regional living costs, where local economic factors play a role in shaping the earnings landscape. With a notable emphasis on specialties such as oral surgery and orthodontics, dental assistants in these areas can command higher wages, confirming the salary premium associated with advanced procedural expertise.
About the University Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,956 | $16.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,448 | $18.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,633 | $20.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,186 | $24.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,599 | $25.76 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Park
In University Park, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,643 (2026 est.). At $42,633, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Park Dental Assistant Pay Compares
University Park median: $42,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,019 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -14.01% less |
Dental Assistants in University Park, TX earn a median of $42,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.30% below the Texas state average of $45,019.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Park 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.
University Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $42,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,409 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,464
2025 BLS Actual
$41,335
2026 Current Est.
$42,633
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in University Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,464 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,243 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Park metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $34,464 (2019) to $41,335 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,508 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Park 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) | $33,956 – $39,448 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,448 – $42,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,633 – $51,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,186 – $53,599 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in University Park
The job market for dental assistants in University Park remains limited, with only five professionals currently employed in the field. The cost of living index stands at 96, indicating a lower-than-average expense for residents, which can positively impact disposable income despite the relative salary figures. Among the various employers in the area, practices that focus on orthodontics and oral surgery tend to offer the highest pay. The disparities in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialization—where oral surgery and orthodontics yield higher salaries compared to general dentistry—as well as varying state regulations regarding expanded function authority (EFDA). These unique qualifications can elevate earnings by 25-40% for those with the credential in states that allow it. For dental assistants looking to enhance their earning potential in University Park, pursuing specialized training, considering roles with dental service organizations (DSOs), and aiming for positions that merge responsibilities (e.g., treatment coordinator) can be effective strategies.
More salary data for University Park, 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 $41,335 for dental assistantsin the University Park 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 University Park 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