Dental Assistant Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $41,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Wichita Falls, TX earns a median $41,545/year (≈ $19.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Wichita Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $46,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Wichita Falls, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $41,545, significantly lower than the national median of $49,579. This salary reflects a competitive landscape shaped by both DSO chains and private practices, where assistants can find varying levels of compensation. The salary range spans from $32,499 at the 10th percentile to $49,239 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while the earning potential can be strong for top positions, entry-level roles may struggle to provide robust financial rewards. Insights from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys highlight the unique challenges and opportunities present in this market, particularly given an increasing number of DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen improving standardization in pay scales across their locations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,499 | $15.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,821 | $18.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,545 | $19.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,867 | $22.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,239 | $23.67 |
Median Salary Position
16.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, TX, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,740 (2026 est.). At $41,545, the local median is 16.2% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita Falls: You'd be above the median
How Wichita Falls Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Wichita Falls median: $41,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $45,011 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -16.20% less |
Dental Assistants in Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $41,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.20% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.70% below the Texas state average of $45,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita Falls has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita Falls, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.513 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $41,545 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,412 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,390
2025 BLS Actual
$40,280
2026 Current Est.
$41,545
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew -9.3% from $44,390 (2019) to $40,280 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,541 (-3.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita Falls 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) | $32,499 – $37,821 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,821 – $41,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,545 – $46,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,867 – $49,239 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls has a current employment level of 120 dental assistants, suggesting a stable local job market that could bolster prospects for those looking to enter the field. The cost of living index in the area is notably low at 89.513, which positively affects take-home pay, granting individuals more purchasing power relative to higher-cost regions. Among various employers, DSO chains typically offer more lucrative salaries compared to solo practices or specialty offices, but dental assistants with a focus on efficiency—such as those holding an EFDA credential—may find the highest earning potential. Variations in pay can also arise from roles such as treatment coordinators or lead dental assistants, often expected to perform additional responsibilities. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing continued education and gaining specialized certifications can be advantageous, allowing dental assistants to align with growing DSO expectations and local employment trends.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, 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 $40,280 for dental assistantsin the Wichita Falls 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