TX · Killeen · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Killeen, TX

Pay for dental assistants in the Killeen area centers on $18.35 per hour, or about $38,160 a year. The lower quarter earns under $16.34 and the upper quarter over $22.19. That ranks 318th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 292nd of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Killeen. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Killeen.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Killeen

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Killeen, TX

$19.00–$21.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-008741
View role

More open Dental Assistant roles in Killeen

1 more open role from employers in Killeen. Each employer’s range arrives with your free pay report.

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Named employers near Killeen, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Dental Assistant pay in Killeen, TX

The metro median is 10% below the Texas statewide median of $20.32 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 440 dental assistants employed in the Killeen-Temple metro area, 3.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.21).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$14.69$30,56035% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$16.34$33,99028% below U.S. median
Median$18.35$38,16019% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.19$46,1602% below U.S. median
Top 10%$24.72$51,4209% above U.S. median

How Killeen ranks

  • 318th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 292nd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 7th 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 Killeen

  • Overall prices in Killeen-Temple run 9% below the U.S. average (index 91.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 22% below the U.S. average (index 77.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $18.35 median hour buys what $20.14 buys at the national price level, 11% 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 Killeen paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$661
  • Per year: $33,030
  • Per month: $2,752
  • Texas has no state income tax on wages.

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Killeen-Temple metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Bell County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Bell County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 14 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

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Temple, TX20 mi$18.35/hr96,267
Georgetown, TX28 mi$21.52/hr101,344
Leander, TX36 mi$21.52/hr87,511
Round Rock, TX38 mi$21.52/hr135,359
Cedar Park, TX40 mi$21.52/hr78,380
Pflugerville, TX44 mi$21.52/hr66,819

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.

Texas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Killeen

Killeen city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Killeen, TX?

Dental Assistants in the Killeen-Temple metro area have a median pay of $18.35 per hour, about $38,160 a year. The middle half earn between $16.34 and $22.19 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Killeen a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Killeen-Temple ranks 292nd of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 318th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Killeen?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Killeen. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Killeen.

Do I need a Texas license to work in Killeen 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 Killeen in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Bell 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 Killeen?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Killeen and across Texas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Killeen.

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What do employers near Killeen pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Killeen, TX
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportKilleen, 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

  1. Dental Assistant (Expanded Function)Permanent
    $46k–$60k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Sam Houston, TX · posted today
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $16.00–$22.25/ hour
    PDS Health · Cypress, TX · posted today

+ 70 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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