Dental Assistant salary in El Paso, TX
Dental Assistants in the El Paso, TX metro area earn a median of $39,090 a year ($18.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,540 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 14% lower than the Texas statewide median of $45,430. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in El Paso, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| 25th percentile | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Median | $39,090 | $18.79 |
| 75th percentile | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Average (mean) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,628.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.46 |
| Weekly | $751.73 |
| Hourly | $18.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $48,500 | 3,010 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,570 | 9,010 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $46,040 | 240 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $45,920 | 3,820 |
| Midland, TX | $45,820 | 190 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $44,820 | 350 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $44,450 | 470 |
| Odessa, TX | $44,300 | 150 |
| Amarillo, TX | $44,010 | 280 |
| Victoria, TX | $43,980 | 90 |
| Waco, TX | $43,980 | 250 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $43,730 | 8,150 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $43,630 | 270 |
| Longview, TX | $43,300 | 280 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $40,280 | 120 |
| Lubbock, TX | $39,900 | 440 |
| Abilene, TX | $39,510 | 170 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $38,730 | 380 |
| San Angelo, TX | $38,710 | 110 |
| Tyler, TX | $38,390 | 370 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $38,180 | 120 |
| Laredo, TX | $37,900 | 190 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $37,560 | 330 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $37,230 | 670 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in El Paso, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Massage Therapist | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,200 | $11.15 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $25,300 | $12.16 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,640 | $35.88 |
| Orderly | $33,880 | $16.29 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in El Paso, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in El Paso, TX?
The median salary for dental assistants in the El Paso, TX metro area is $39,090 a year, or $18.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in El Paso, TX?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the El Paso, TX metro area earn at least $46,540 a year. The top 25% earn $45,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in El Paso, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,080 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $35,810 or less.
How many dental assistants work in El Paso, TX?
About 840 dental assistants are employed in the El Paso, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.