TX · Port Arthur · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Port Arthur, TX

The median dental assistant pay in the Port Arthur area is $18.18 per hour ($37,810 a year), with the typical range running from $16.61 to $22.20. That ranks 325th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 288th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Port Arthur. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Port Arthur.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Port Arthur

PermanentPosted 30+ days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Port Arthur, TX

$16.00–$20.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-007265
View role

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Dental Assistant pay in Port Arthur, TX

The metro median is 11% below the Texas statewide median of $20.32 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 330 dental assistants employed in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area, 2.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.85).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$14.31$29,76037% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$16.61$34,55027% below U.S. median
Median$18.18$37,81020% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.20$46,1802% below U.S. median
Top 10%$24.44$50,8407% above U.S. median

How Port Arthur ranks

  • 325th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 288th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 8th 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 Port Arthur

  • Overall prices in Beaumont-Port Arthur run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.0, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 70.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $18.18 median hour buys what $20.19 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 Port Arthur paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$654
  • Per year: $32,724
  • Per month: $2,727
  • Texas has no state income tax on wages.

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

Dental health shortage areas in Orange County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Orange County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 16 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
Beaumont, TX20 mi$18.18/hr112,893
Lake Charles, LA46 mi$18.63/hr81,157
Baytown, TX65 mi$17.59/hr86,004
Texas City, TX68 mi$17.59/hr57,875
Pasadena, TX77 mi$17.59/hr149,617
League City, TX78 mi$17.59/hr118,456

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 Port Arthur

Port Arthur city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Port Arthur, TX?

Dental Assistants in the Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area have a median pay of $18.18 per hour, about $37,810 a year. The middle half earn between $16.61 and $22.20 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Beaumont-Port Arthur ranks 288th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 325th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Port Arthur?

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

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

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Orange 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 Port Arthur?

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

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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 Port Arthur, TX
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportPort Arthur, 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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