Dental Assistant Salary in Waco, TX: $45,361 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Waco, TX earns a median $45,361/year (≈ $21.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $49,012 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, Texas, the dental assistant salary stands at a projected median of $45,361 for 2026 according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure reflects a competitive pay landscape, particularly when specialized roles within oral surgery and orthodontics can significantly elevate earnings. The salary range for dental assistants here varies from $36,140 at the 10th percentile to as much as $59,501 at the 90th percentile, providing opportunities for growth within the field. While the national median for dental assistant salaries is slightly higher at $49,579, Waco's figures illustrate a unique market influenced by local demand, roles offered, and the nature of dental practices operating in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,842 | $17.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,361 | $21.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,806 | $23.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,501 | $28.61 |
Median Salary Position
8.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,361 (2026 est.). At $45,361, the local median is 8.51% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Waco median: $45,361/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,001 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -8.51% less |
Dental Assistants in Waco, TX earn a median of $45,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% above the Texas state average of $45,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,361 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,012 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,910
2025 BLS Actual
$43,980
2026 Current Est.
$45,361
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,361 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 26.0% from $34,910 (2019) to $43,980 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,875 (34.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $36,140 – $36,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,842 – $45,361 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,361 – $48,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,806 – $59,501 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Waco
The local job market for dental assistants in Waco features around 250 professionals, suggesting a stable demand for skilled practitioners. With a cost of living index of 92.55, Waco offers relatively affordable living conditions, enhancing the purchasing power of the median salary. Among local employers, specialty practices such as orthodontic and oral surgery offices tend to offer the highest compensation, reflecting the value placed on specialized skills. The disparity in dental assistant pay can be driven by factors including specialization, experience, and roles such as treatment coordinators or expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) where allowed. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Waco, pursuing EFDA credentials or seeking positions in DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen could potentially yield higher earnings, given their established pay scales and opportunities for advancement.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $43,980 for dental assistantsin the Waco 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