Medical Assistant Pay

Dallas vs El Paso: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$45,242
$21.75/hr
El Paso, TX
$37,569
$18.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$45,242$37,569
Hourly Rate$21.75$18.07
Entry Level (P10)$37,338$30,137
25th Percentile$39,721$32,079
75th Percentile$50,228$40,571
Top Earner (P90)$58,384$47,027
Total Employed20,5601,980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($45,242) and El Paso ($37,569) medical assistant salaries.DallasEl PasoMedian Salary$45,242$37,569Entry Level (P10)$37,338$30,137Top Earner (P90)$58,384$47,027US Median $47,961

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Paso.

The salary gap between Dallas and El Paso is $7,673 (20.42%). Dallas's median is -5.67% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $21,046,El Paso spans $16,890. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,338
P25$39,721
Median$45,242
P75$50,228
P90 (Top)$58,384
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$30,137
P25$32,079
Median$37,569
P75$40,571
P90 (Top)$47,027

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($43,886 effective) pays 5.03% more than El Paso ($41,784 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $45,242
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $43,886
El Paso
Nominal: $37,569
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $41,784

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,242/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,384)
  • Larger job market (20,560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,886)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Dallas grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.6% growth in El Paso over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+26.6%

$34,040 (2019) → $43,100 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+42.6%

$25,090 (2019) → $35,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Dallas or El Paso?

Dallas has a higher median medical assistant salary at $45,242/year, compared to El Paso at $37,569/year — a difference of $7,673 (20.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and El Paso?

Dallas medical assistants earn $21.75/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $18.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to El Paso as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $43,886, El Paso = $41,784), job availability (20,560 vs 1,980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Dallas vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $37,338 in Dallas and $30,137 in El Paso. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov