PermanentPosted 7 days ago
Dental Assistant
Smile Brands · Abilene, TX
$18.00–$20.00/ hour
New this week
Dental Assistant jobs in Abilene, TX
Pay for dental assistants in the Abilene area centers on $17.67 per hour, or about $36,750 a year. The lower quarter earns under $14.33 and the upper quarter over $21.84. That ranks 348th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 318th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Abilene. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Abilene.
- $17.67median pay per hour, Abilene
- $14–$22typical range per hour
- 180dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Dental Assistant roles in Abilene
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45+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Abilene, TX
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Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Abilene, TX
The metro median is 13% below the Texas statewide median of $20.32 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 180 dental assistants employed in the Abilene metro area, 2.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.02).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $13.12 | $27,290 | 42% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $14.33 | $29,810 | 37% below U.S. median |
| Median | $17.67 | $36,750 | 22% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $21.84 | $45,430 | 4% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $23.27 | $48,400 | 2% above U.S. median |
How Abilene ranks
- 348th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 318th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 15th of 24 Texas metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Abilene
- Overall prices in Abilene run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 26% below the U.S. average (index 73.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $17.67 median hour buys what $19.55 buys at the national price level, 14% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Estimate your Abilene paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$636
- Per year: $31,806
- Per month: $2,651
- Texas has no state income tax on wages.
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Abilene metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Taylor County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Taylor County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 15 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Angelo, TX | 82 mi | $17.22/hr | 100,159 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 122 mi | $17.53/hr | 102,372 |
| Burleson, TX | 141 mi | $22.52/hr | 56,253 |
| Fort Worth, TX | 141 mi | $22.52/hr | 1,008,106 |
| Midland, TX | 142 mi | $18.80/hr | 143,687 |
| Lubbock, TX | 146 mi | $17.51/hr | 272,086 |
Dental Assistant jobs in Texas · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Texas
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Texas requires for your role with the Texas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Texas does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.
Other healthcare roles in Abilene
Abilene city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Abilene, TX?
Dental Assistants in the Abilene metro area have a median pay of $17.67 per hour, about $36,750 a year. The middle half earn between $14.33 and $21.84 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Abilene a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Abilene ranks 318th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 348th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Abilene?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Abilene. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Abilene.
Do I need a Texas license to work in Abilene as a dental assistant?
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Texas requires for your role with the Texas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Abilene in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Taylor County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Abilene?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Abilene and across Texas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Abilene.
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What do employers near Abilene pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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190+ Dental Assistant roles in Texas, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportAbilene, TX · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- PDS HealthAustin, TX · 12 postings$22.00/ hr$16–$31
- Smile BrandsSan Antonio, TX · 17 postings$21.50/ hr$17–$28
- Aspen DentalSan Antonio, TX · 39 postings$18.50/ hr$14–$30
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.
2What they are offering now
Low$16Median$20.00High$26
72 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Texas, 29 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 72 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental Assistant (Expanded Function)Permanent$46k–$60k/ year
- Dental AssistantPermanent$16.00–$22.25/ hour
+ 70 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.