Dental Assistant salary in Killeen-Temple, TX
Dental Assistants in the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area earn a median of $44,450 a year ($21.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,620 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% lower than the Texas statewide median of $45,430. There are 3.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,430, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Killeen-Temple, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| 25th percentile | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Median | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| 75th percentile | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Average (mean) | $44,430 | $21.36 |
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 | $3,704.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,852.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,709.62 |
| Weekly | $854.81 |
| Hourly | $21.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,450 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 |
| 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 |
| El Paso, TX | $39,090 | 840 |
| 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 Killeen-Temple, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $54,120 | $26.02 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $22,940 | $11.03 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $76,140 | $36.61 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $76,290 | $36.68 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Killeen-Temple, 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 Killeen-Temple, TX?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area is $44,450 a year, or $21.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Killeen-Temple, TX?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area earn at least $56,620 a year. The top 25% earn $47,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Killeen-Temple, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,180 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,130 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Killeen-Temple, TX?
About 470 dental assistants are employed in the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.