388 metro areas
Dental Assistant Salary by City (2026)
Dental assistants earn the most in San Jose, CA, an average of $71,160 a year, against $50,200 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in St. Cloud, MN ($69,070 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.
- US average (mean)
- $50,200BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Highest-paying city
- $71,160San Jose, CA
- Best after cost of living
- $69,070St. Cloud, MN
- Metro areas
- 388With their own estimate
Top cities
Highest-paying cities for dental assistants
Top 10 metro areas
- San Jose, CA$71,160
- Minneapolis, MN-WI$67,410
- San Francisco, CA$64,900
- Santa Rosa, CA$62,500
- Rochester, MN$61,860
- Vallejo, CA$61,130
- Portland, OR-WA$60,690
- St. Cloud, MN$60,530
- Mankato, MN$60,260
- Seattle, WA$59,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $71,160 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $67,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,900 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $62,500 |
| Rochester, MN | $61,860 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,130 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $60,690 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $60,530 |
| Mankato, MN | $60,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Mean wage ÷ BEA price level
- St. Cloud, MN$60,530 nominal$69,070
- Rochester, MN$61,860 nominal$68,110
- Mankato, MN$60,260 nominal$66,250
- Minot, ND$56,990 nominal$65,480
- Duluth, MN-WI$57,600 nominal$64,890
- Grand Forks, ND-MN$56,200 nominal$64,850
- Bismarck, ND$58,950 nominal$64,760
- San Jose, CA$71,160 nominal$64,440
- Minneapolis, MN-WI$67,410 nominal$64,310
- Fargo, ND-MN$55,220 nominal$60,770
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| St. Cloud, MN | $69,070 |
| Rochester, MN | $68,110 |
| Mankato, MN | $66,250 |
| Minot, ND | $65,480 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $64,890 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $64,850 |
| Bismarck, ND | $64,760 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,440 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,310 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $60,770 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024
Every city
Dental Assistant salary in every metro area
Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.
| # | Metro area | Mean | Entry (Level I) | Experienced (Level IV) | At US prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $71,160 | $56,530 | $78,350 | $64,440 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN-WI | $67,410 | $54,270 | $73,900 | $64,310 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $64,900 | $51,670 | $71,430 | $56,140 |
| 4 | Santa Rosa, CA | $62,500 | $50,320 | $68,490 | $57,990 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $61,860 | $49,210 | $68,080 | $68,110 |
| 6 | Vallejo, CA | $61,130 | $46,380 | $68,390 | $56,350 |
| 7 | Portland, OR-WA | $60,690 | $50,650 | $65,640 | $57,570 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $60,530 | $51,730 | $64,880 | $69,070 |
| 9 | Mankato, MN | $60,260 | $50,460 | $65,060 | $66,250 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $59,650 | $48,210 | $65,290 | $53,670 |
| 11 | Napa, CA | $59,570 | $47,690 | $65,420 | $52,930 |
| 12 | Portland, ME | $59,380 | $51,330 | $63,340 | $58,300 |
| 13 | Salem, OR | $59,090 | $50,460 | $63,340 | $57,010 |
| 14 | Bend, OR | $58,970 | $49,340 | $63,710 | $56,920 |
| 15 | Santa Cruz, CA | $58,970 | $48,320 | $64,210 | $53,660 |
| 16 | Bismarck, ND | $58,950 | $48,710 | $64,000 | $64,760 |
| 17 | Grants Pass, OR | $58,610 | $51,980 | $61,880 | $59,950 |
| 18 | Sacramento, CA | $57,840 | $45,160 | $64,110 | $54,220 |
| 19 | Duluth, MN-WI | $57,600 | $45,780 | $63,400 | $64,890 |
| 20 | Boston, MA-NH | $57,530 | $47,800 | $62,320 | $53,140 |
| 21 | Eugene, OR | $57,530 | $48,940 | $61,780 | $56,640 |
| 22 | Hanford, CA | $57,490 | $44,890 | $63,710 | $56,580 |
| 23 | Minot, ND | $56,990 | $45,340 | $62,730 | $65,480 |
| 24 | El Centro, CA | $56,850 | $43,700 | $63,320 | $59,730 |
| 25 | Cleveland, OH | $56,780 | $39,560 | $65,270 | $60,450 |
| 26 | Naples, FL | $56,640 | $46,260 | $61,760 | $54,880 |
| 27 | Barnstable Town, MA | $56,510 | $47,170 | $61,110 | $57,460 |
| 28 | Manchester, NH | $56,510 | $47,840 | $60,800 | $53,480 |
| 29 | Albany, OR | $56,350 | $48,300 | $60,300 | $55,190 |
| 30 | Burlington, VT | $56,350 | $47,300 | $60,800 | $55,820 |
| 31 | Corvallis, OR | $56,280 | $48,980 | $59,880 | $54,110 |
| 32 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $56,200 | $45,240 | $61,590 | $64,850 |
| 33 | Lewiston, ME | $55,970 | $48,300 | $59,760 | $59,080 |
| 34 | Medford, OR | $55,950 | $47,110 | $60,300 | $55,160 |
| 35 | Raleigh, NC | $55,950 | $45,970 | $60,860 | $57,000 |
| 36 | Salinas, CA | $55,700 | $44,200 | $61,360 | $51,080 |
| 37 | Boulder, CO | $55,560 | $45,450 | $60,550 | $52,810 |
| 38 | San Luis Obispo, CA | $55,330 | $44,700 | $60,550 | $50,950 |
| 39 | Fargo, ND-MN | $55,220 | $44,510 | $60,490 | $60,770 |
| 40 | Oxnard, CA | $55,200 | $41,700 | $61,860 | $49,940 |
| 41 | Grand Rapids, MI | $55,120 | $42,930 | $61,130 | $57,690 |
| 42 | New Haven, CT | $54,830 | $46,380 | $58,990 | $52,440 |
| 43 | Elkhart, IN | $54,810 | $42,240 | $61,010 | $60,680 |
| 44 | Anchorage, AK | $54,540 | $43,200 | $60,130 | $51,740 |
| 45 | Norwich, CT | $54,390 | $46,260 | $58,410 | $54,150 |
| 46 | Mount Vernon, WA | $54,120 | $44,950 | $58,640 | $52,830 |
| 47 | Olympia, WA | $54,120 | $45,970 | $58,140 | $52,200 |
| 48 | Santa Maria, CA | $54,120 | $44,370 | $58,930 | $49,740 |
| 49 | Worcester, MA | $54,080 | $45,180 | $58,450 | $52,750 |
| 50 | Kennewick, WA | $54,040 | $45,530 | $58,240 | $54,000 |
| 51 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $54,000 | $40,910 | $60,420 | $56,620 |
| 52 | San Diego, CA | $54,000 | $42,120 | $59,840 | $48,260 |
| 53 | Bridgeport, CT | $53,930 | $43,510 | $59,070 | $50,470 |
| 54 | Hartford, CT | $53,810 | $42,350 | $59,470 | $52,370 |
| 55 | Dayton, OH | $53,770 | $40,770 | $60,170 | $58,010 |
| 56 | Amherst Town, MA | $53,730 | $44,840 | $58,090 | $53,600 |
| 57 | Asheville, NC | $53,660 | $43,390 | $58,720 | $55,600 |
| 58 | Bremerton, WA | $53,620 | $45,300 | $57,720 | $50,770 |
| 59 | Bellingham, WA | $53,600 | $46,010 | $57,350 | $51,870 |
| 60 | Fairbanks, AK | $53,580 | $43,220 | $58,700 | $51,910 |
| 61 | Stockton, CA | $53,560 | $44,030 | $58,260 | $50,970 |
| 62 | Trenton, NJ | $53,410 | $40,870 | $59,590 | $51,760 |
| 63 | Durham, NC | $53,350 | $44,240 | $57,870 | $54,680 |
| 64 | Modesto, CA | $53,120 | $42,910 | $58,160 | $51,020 |
| 65 | Fresno, CA | $52,960 | $43,870 | $57,430 | $51,840 |
| 66 | Waterbury, CT | $52,730 | $44,410 | $56,830 | $52,850 |
| 67 | Bangor, ME | $52,640 | $46,200 | $55,810 | $54,540 |
| 68 | Yuba City, CA | $52,640 | $41,680 | $58,030 | $50,500 |
| 69 | Spokane, WA | $52,600 | $44,260 | $56,720 | $52,420 |
| 70 | Des Moines, IA | $52,560 | $45,470 | $56,080 | $57,320 |
| 71 | Madison, WI | $52,540 | $46,050 | $55,740 | $54,010 |
| 72 | Nashville, TN | $52,330 | $42,060 | $57,390 | $54,320 |
| 73 | Iowa City, IA | $52,290 | $44,430 | $56,160 | $57,140 |
| 74 | Chico, CA | $52,250 | $42,790 | $56,910 | $51,630 |
| 75 | Columbus, OH | $52,250 | $40,640 | $57,970 | $54,730 |
| 76 | Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $52,230 | $43,700 | $56,410 | $50,930 |
| 77 | Pittsfield, MA | $52,190 | $44,320 | $56,060 | $54,880 |
| 78 | Providence, RI-MA | $52,100 | $44,180 | $56,010 | $51,190 |
| 79 | Springfield, MA | $52,060 | $44,800 | $55,640 | $54,190 |
| 80 | Merced, CA | $52,040 | $45,280 | $55,390 | $52,950 |
| 81 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $52,000 | $41,890 | $56,990 | $55,870 |
| 82 | Redding, CA | $51,900 | $43,280 | $56,140 | $51,550 |
| 83 | North Port, FL | $51,880 | $43,390 | $56,060 | $50,660 |
| 84 | Sheboygan, WI | $51,880 | $44,800 | $55,350 | $55,180 |
| 85 | Walla Walla, WA | $51,880 | $44,100 | $55,720 | $52,660 |
| 86 | Indianapolis, IN | $51,810 | $41,850 | $56,720 | $54,140 |
| 87 | Charlotte, NC-SC | $51,790 | $44,030 | $55,620 | $53,200 |
| 88 | Wenatchee, WA | $51,690 | $43,800 | $55,560 | $49,770 |
| 89 | Longview, WA | $51,600 | $43,060 | $55,810 | $52,900 |
| 90 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $51,580 | $42,310 | $56,160 | $56,910 |
| 91 | New York, NY-NJ | $51,560 | $39,540 | $57,470 | $45,810 |
| 92 | Winston, NC | $51,560 | $44,280 | $55,160 | $56,020 |
| 93 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,520 | $43,080 | $55,660 | $49,870 |
| 94 | Ames, IA | $51,500 | $44,600 | $54,910 | $57,980 |
| 95 | Riverside, CA | $51,460 | $43,620 | $55,310 | $48,350 |
| 96 | Austin, TX | $51,440 | $38,540 | $57,780 | $52,450 |
| 97 | Ann Arbor, MI | $51,420 | $41,270 | $56,410 | $50,970 |
| 98 | Denver, CO | $51,420 | $42,060 | $56,040 | $48,610 |
| 99 | Baltimore, MD | $51,310 | $40,680 | $56,530 | $49,110 |
| 100 | Atlantic City, NJ | $51,270 | $40,960 | $56,350 | $51,860 |
| 101 | York, PA | $51,230 | $42,310 | $55,620 | $53,360 |
| 102 | Springfield, OH | $51,210 | $36,420 | $58,490 | $56,600 |
| 103 | Bakersfield, CA | $51,190 | $39,020 | $57,180 | $50,740 |
| 104 | Lebanon, PA | $51,130 | $41,350 | $55,950 | $54,850 |
| 105 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $51,110 | $44,100 | $54,560 | $57,450 |
| 106 | Wilmington, NC | $51,110 | $40,680 | $56,240 | $53,010 |
| 107 | Fort Wayne, IN | $51,060 | $41,930 | $55,560 | $55,160 |
| 108 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $51,060 | $43,600 | $54,750 | $59,060 |
| 109 | Charleston, SC | $51,000 | $43,040 | $54,930 | $50,510 |
| 110 | Elizabethtown, KY | $50,940 | $39,060 | $56,800 | $56,240 |
| 111 | Vineland, NJ | $50,790 | $40,680 | $55,760 | $52,920 |
| 112 | Pittsburgh, PA | $50,690 | $41,720 | $55,120 | $53,540 |
| 113 | Lexington, KY | $50,590 | $39,940 | $55,830 | $54,460 |
| 114 | Waterloo, IA | $50,520 | $42,310 | $54,560 | $58,030 |
| 115 | Bozeman, MT | $50,500 | $44,300 | $53,560 | $49,260 |
| 116 | Boise City, ID | $50,480 | $40,710 | $55,290 | $51,310 |
| 117 | Lansing, MI | $50,480 | $39,730 | $55,790 | $53,140 |
| 118 | Lexington Park, MD | $50,480 | $40,020 | $55,640 | $50,100 |
| 119 | Burlington, NC | $50,440 | $42,290 | $54,450 | $54,120 |
| 120 | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | $50,440 | $39,600 | $55,790 | $46,320 |
| 121 | Chicago, IL-IN | $50,380 | $40,830 | $55,080 | $48,630 |
| 122 | Akron, OH | $50,210 | $39,810 | $55,350 | $53,780 |
| 123 | Fond du Lac, WI | $50,210 | $43,200 | $53,660 | $54,790 |
| 124 | Harrisburg, PA | $50,210 | $41,680 | $54,410 | $50,900 |
| 125 | Toledo, OH | $50,110 | $37,920 | $56,100 | $54,790 |
| 126 | Appleton, WI | $50,020 | $43,390 | $53,290 | $54,120 |
| 127 | Allentown, PA-NJ | $50,000 | $39,170 | $55,330 | $50,020 |
| 128 | Visalia, CA | $49,960 | $43,390 | $53,210 | $50,050 |
| 129 | Green Bay, WI | $49,940 | $44,240 | $52,750 | $53,650 |
| 130 | Santa Fe, NM | $49,920 | $40,250 | $54,680 | $50,540 |
| 131 | Palm Bay, FL | $49,880 | $42,390 | $53,560 | $49,880 |
| 132 | Williamsport, PA | $49,880 | $38,580 | $55,450 | $54,010 |
| 133 | Greensboro, NC | $49,860 | $41,680 | $53,890 | $53,690 |
| 134 | South Bend, IN-MI | $49,840 | $39,150 | $55,100 | $53,670 |
| 135 | Kiryas Joel, NY | $49,770 | $41,870 | $53,640 | $45,480 |
| 136 | Davenport, IA-IL | $49,750 | $41,810 | $53,660 | $55,850 |
| 137 | Chambersburg, PA | $49,710 | $37,730 | $55,600 | $52,520 |
| 138 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $49,650 | $39,730 | $54,560 | $52,210 |
| 139 | Dubuque, IA | $49,630 | $42,810 | $53,000 | $56,830 |
| 140 | Sandusky, OH | $49,610 | $38,790 | $54,930 | $55,570 |
| 141 | Bloomington, IN | $49,570 | $39,310 | $54,620 | $52,130 |
| 142 | Crestview, FL | $49,570 | $42,160 | $53,210 | $51,090 |
| 143 | Jacksonville, FL | $49,550 | $39,330 | $54,580 | $49,810 |
| 144 | Battle Creek, MI | $49,520 | $39,520 | $54,450 | $54,690 |
| 145 | Knoxville, TN | $49,500 | $41,560 | $53,410 | $53,470 |
| 146 | Niles, MI | $49,500 | $41,160 | $53,600 | $53,590 |
| 147 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $49,480 | $40,580 | $53,870 | $54,280 |
| 148 | Lancaster, PA | $49,460 | $39,670 | $54,290 | $50,340 |
| 149 | Detroit, MI | $49,380 | $40,460 | $53,790 | $49,230 |
| 150 | Fort Collins, CO | $49,360 | $42,040 | $52,980 | $48,810 |
| 151 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $49,340 | $38,250 | $54,810 | $53,530 |
| 152 | Reading, PA | $49,340 | $40,870 | $53,520 | $50,830 |
| 153 | Carson City, NV | $49,300 | $40,390 | $53,680 | $50,240 |
| 154 | La Crosse, WI-MN | $49,250 | $42,720 | $52,460 | $53,670 |
| 155 | Rochester, NY | $49,190 | $40,830 | $53,330 | $50,690 |
| 156 | Colorado Springs, CO | $49,170 | $39,670 | $53,850 | $48,820 |
| 157 | Kokomo, IN | $49,150 | $38,690 | $54,310 | $54,830 |
| 158 | Traverse City, MI | $49,130 | $40,960 | $53,160 | $52,620 |
| 159 | Ithaca, NY | $49,110 | $41,520 | $52,850 | $47,530 |
| 160 | Punta Gorda, FL | $49,110 | $42,100 | $52,560 | $48,850 |
| 161 | Fayetteville, NC | $49,070 | $40,640 | $53,210 | $53,350 |
| 162 | Lakeland, FL | $49,070 | $41,290 | $52,870 | $50,510 |
| 163 | Rapid City, SD | $49,070 | $41,000 | $53,040 | $55,040 |
| 164 | Los Angeles, CA | $49,050 | $41,020 | $52,980 | $43,190 |
| 165 | Bowling Green, KY | $48,940 | $38,020 | $54,330 | $54,270 |
| 166 | Midland, MI | $48,940 | $40,480 | $53,120 | $53,240 |
| 167 | Michigan City, IN | $48,920 | $38,880 | $53,870 | $53,360 |
| 168 | Oshkosh, WI | $48,920 | $42,000 | $52,330 | $52,640 |
| 169 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $48,900 | $40,520 | $53,020 | $49,750 |
| 170 | Saginaw, MI | $48,730 | $39,850 | $53,120 | $53,610 |
| 171 | Yakima, WA | $48,690 | $40,500 | $52,730 | $50,960 |
| 172 | Miami, FL | $48,630 | $41,100 | $52,330 | $42,600 |
| 173 | Jackson, MI | $48,610 | $41,350 | $52,190 | $52,960 |
| 174 | Reno, NV | $48,570 | $39,170 | $53,210 | $48,080 |
| 175 | Atlanta, GA | $48,530 | $40,830 | $52,310 | $48,500 |
| 176 | Jackson, TN | $48,440 | $37,880 | $53,640 | $56,640 |
| 177 | Flint, MI | $48,420 | $39,040 | $53,060 | $52,050 |
| 178 | Janesville, WI | $48,420 | $41,680 | $51,730 | $51,670 |
| 179 | Kenosha, WI | $48,420 | $42,660 | $51,250 | $47,880 |
| 180 | Milwaukee, WI | $48,420 | $41,500 | $51,830 | $49,950 |
| 181 | Buffalo, NY | $48,380 | $43,180 | $50,940 | $50,480 |
| 182 | Hickory, NC | $48,360 | $39,890 | $52,540 | $54,650 |
| 183 | Flagstaff, AZ | $48,340 | $40,540 | $52,170 | $48,180 |
| 184 | Kingston, NY | $48,340 | $41,910 | $51,500 | $48,000 |
| 185 | Billings, MT | $48,320 | $39,080 | $52,850 | $51,660 |
| 186 | Omaha, NE-IA | $48,260 | $41,600 | $51,540 | $52,510 |
| 187 | Eau Claire, WI | $48,190 | $41,580 | $51,460 | $51,930 |
| 188 | Greenville, NC | $48,190 | $39,440 | $52,500 | $54,510 |
| 189 | Albany, NY | $48,170 | $42,000 | $51,230 | $48,380 |
| 190 | Lima, OH | $48,150 | $35,730 | $54,270 | $53,700 |
| 191 | Wausau, WI | $48,110 | $40,660 | $51,770 | $51,930 |
| 192 | Cape Coral, FL | $48,050 | $41,450 | $51,290 | $46,950 |
| 193 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,030 | $38,480 | $52,710 | $52,510 |
| 194 | Monroe, MI | $48,030 | $39,290 | $52,330 | $51,370 |
| 195 | Elmira, NY | $48,010 | $40,370 | $51,770 | $50,860 |
| 196 | Greeley, CO | $48,010 | $39,940 | $51,980 | $47,930 |
| 197 | Bay City, MI | $47,990 | $40,770 | $51,540 | $52,210 |
| 198 | Lafayette, IN | $47,940 | $37,900 | $52,870 | $51,310 |
| 199 | Lincoln, NE | $47,940 | $41,200 | $51,270 | $52,350 |
| 200 | Orlando, FL | $47,940 | $41,140 | $51,290 | $47,270 |
| 201 | Syracuse, NY | $47,940 | $40,620 | $51,540 | $50,070 |
| 202 | Goldsboro, NC | $47,920 | $39,790 | $51,940 | $54,170 |
| 203 | Tampa, FL | $47,900 | $39,730 | $51,920 | $47,480 |
| 204 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $47,880 | $38,290 | $52,580 | $51,740 |
| 205 | Evansville, IN | $47,860 | $38,810 | $52,330 | $52,290 |
| 206 | Dallas, TX | $47,780 | $39,600 | $51,790 | $46,350 |
| 207 | Columbus, IN | $47,740 | $38,770 | $52,170 | $51,330 |
| 208 | Kalamazoo, MI | $47,740 | $39,750 | $51,690 | $50,340 |
| 209 | Richmond, VA | $47,740 | $39,210 | $51,940 | $48,780 |
| 210 | Paducah, KY-IL | $47,720 | $37,460 | $52,750 | $55,430 |
| 211 | Champaign, IL | $47,670 | $38,980 | $51,960 | $51,420 |
| 212 | Decatur, IL | $47,670 | $38,830 | $52,040 | $53,910 |
| 213 | Canton, OH | $47,590 | $36,840 | $52,890 | $53,230 |
| 214 | Owensboro, KY | $47,530 | $36,820 | $52,790 | $53,640 |
| 215 | Missoula, MT | $47,510 | $41,700 | $50,360 | $49,260 |
| 216 | Greenville, SC | $47,380 | $40,770 | $50,650 | $50,800 |
| 217 | Mansfield, OH | $47,380 | $36,190 | $52,890 | $53,310 |
| 218 | Sebastian, FL | $47,380 | $40,600 | $50,710 | $48,200 |
| 219 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $47,360 | $38,880 | $51,560 | $48,320 |
| 220 | Gainesville, FL | $47,320 | $40,310 | $50,750 | $48,920 |
| 221 | Prescott Valley, AZ | $47,240 | $39,460 | $51,080 | $48,080 |
| 222 | Virginia Beach, VA-NC | $47,110 | $37,790 | $51,690 | $48,100 |
| 223 | Jacksonville, NC | $47,030 | $39,790 | $50,590 | $51,070 |
| 224 | Wildwood, FL | $47,030 | $39,770 | $50,610 | $55,050 |
| 225 | Youngstown, OH | $46,990 | $39,980 | $50,420 | $53,770 |
| 226 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,970 | $37,480 | $51,650 | $51,650 |
| 227 | State College, PA | $46,950 | $37,480 | $51,600 | $48,520 |
| 228 | Pensacola, FL | $46,920 | $39,670 | $50,480 | $48,020 |
| 229 | Helena, MT | $46,900 | $41,540 | $49,550 | $49,020 |
| 230 | Morristown, TN | $46,900 | $38,020 | $51,270 | $54,310 |
| 231 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $46,760 | $39,690 | $50,230 | $46,650 |
| 232 | Tucson, AZ | $46,740 | $38,690 | $50,710 | $48,240 |
| 233 | Salisbury, MD | $46,720 | $36,170 | $51,920 | $48,860 |
| 234 | Bloomington, IL | $46,680 | $38,150 | $50,900 | $49,910 |
| 235 | Kahului, HI | $46,610 | $37,940 | $50,900 | $42,610 |
| 236 | Panama City, FL | $46,610 | $40,270 | $49,750 | $47,910 |
| 237 | Columbia, SC | $46,590 | $38,400 | $50,610 | $49,740 |
| 238 | Grand Junction, CO | $46,530 | $38,600 | $50,440 | $48,730 |
| 239 | Grand Island, NE | $46,470 | $40,750 | $49,300 | $53,630 |
| 240 | Kankakee, IL | $46,450 | $39,170 | $50,020 | $48,190 |
| 241 | Spartanburg, SC | $46,400 | $37,360 | $50,880 | $50,960 |
| 242 | Hagerstown, MD-WV | $46,380 | $36,320 | $51,360 | $49,250 |
| 243 | Charlottesville, VA | $46,360 | $38,690 | $50,150 | $46,760 |
| 244 | Topeka, KS | $46,340 | $38,170 | $50,360 | $52,170 |
| 245 | Pueblo, CO | $46,280 | $38,850 | $49,940 | $50,430 |
| 246 | Racine, WI | $46,240 | $39,460 | $49,590 | $48,190 |
| 247 | Johnson City, TN | $46,200 | $37,000 | $50,730 | $52,540 |
| 248 | Glens Falls, NY | $46,160 | $37,960 | $50,170 | $48,660 |
| 249 | Terre Haute, IN | $46,160 | $37,480 | $50,420 | $52,580 |
| 250 | Midland, TX | $46,130 | $37,230 | $50,520 | $48,160 |
| 251 | Kingsport, TN-VA | $46,110 | $36,420 | $50,880 | $53,340 |
| 252 | Springfield, IL | $46,090 | $36,230 | $50,940 | $49,700 |
| 253 | Gettysburg, PA | $46,050 | $36,570 | $50,730 | $48,280 |
| 254 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $46,050 | $39,420 | $49,340 | $48,940 |
| 255 | Utica, NY | $46,010 | $40,080 | $48,920 | $49,650 |
| 256 | Hammond, LA | $45,990 | $34,740 | $51,520 | $54,450 |
| 257 | Peoria, IL | $45,930 | $36,820 | $50,420 | $50,340 |
| 258 | Rome, GA | $45,910 | $37,320 | $50,130 | $50,920 |
| 259 | Columbia, MO | $45,860 | $36,420 | $50,500 | $51,280 |
| 260 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $45,800 | $36,250 | $50,520 | $51,860 |
| 261 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $45,740 | $39,810 | $48,650 | $48,940 |
| 262 | Savannah, GA | $45,720 | $37,250 | $49,900 | $48,020 |
| 263 | Great Falls, MT | $45,700 | $39,440 | $48,800 | $47,190 |
| 264 | Cleveland, TN | $45,680 | $36,250 | $50,320 | $51,860 |
| 265 | Sebring, FL | $45,680 | $37,960 | $49,460 | $49,400 |
| 266 | Muskegon, MI | $45,660 | $38,040 | $49,400 | $49,350 |
| 267 | Rockford, IL | $45,660 | $36,880 | $49,980 | $49,550 |
| 268 | Jackson, MS | $45,640 | $34,820 | $50,980 | $51,250 |
| 269 | Rocky Mount, NC | $45,550 | $35,260 | $50,630 | $51,750 |
| 270 | Ocala, FL | $45,530 | $39,600 | $48,460 | $47,810 |
| 271 | Oklahoma City, OK | $45,490 | $36,050 | $50,150 | $50,320 |
| 272 | Gainesville, GA | $45,470 | $36,460 | $49,900 | $46,990 |
| 273 | Erie, PA | $45,360 | $36,710 | $49,630 | $49,870 |
| 274 | Cheyenne, WY | $45,340 | $36,230 | $49,820 | $46,990 |
| 275 | Dover, DE | $45,280 | $36,750 | $49,480 | $46,440 |
| 276 | Lawton, OK | $45,280 | $36,360 | $49,670 | $52,690 |
| 277 | Lafayette, LA | $45,260 | $32,880 | $51,360 | $51,900 |
| 278 | Sierra Vista, AZ | $45,160 | $38,150 | $48,610 | $50,600 |
| 279 | Farmington, NM | $45,120 | $35,650 | $49,770 | $51,440 |
| 280 | Idaho Falls, ID | $45,050 | $36,840 | $49,110 | $47,720 |
| 281 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,050 | $35,780 | $49,630 | $44,950 |
| 282 | Staunton, VA | $44,990 | $36,880 | $48,960 | $49,370 |
| 283 | Scranton, PA | $44,890 | $34,780 | $49,880 | $47,980 |
| 284 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $44,870 | $37,480 | $48,480 | $51,940 |
| 285 | Tulsa, OK | $44,820 | $36,110 | $49,110 | $50,240 |
| 286 | Weirton, WV-OH | $44,800 | $34,170 | $50,040 | $50,320 |
| 287 | New Orleans, LA | $44,760 | $36,150 | $49,000 | $48,340 |
| 288 | Myrtle Beach, SC | $44,680 | $35,710 | $49,110 | $47,710 |
| 289 | Blacksburg, VA | $44,620 | $37,480 | $48,130 | $48,130 |
| 290 | Winchester, VA-WV | $44,620 | $36,050 | $48,840 | $46,260 |
| 291 | Hinesville, GA | $44,570 | $37,900 | $47,880 | $47,450 |
| 292 | Casper, WY | $44,510 | $34,360 | $49,500 | $47,440 |
| 293 | Athens, GA | $44,470 | $35,800 | $48,760 | $47,640 |
| 294 | Altoona, PA | $44,450 | $35,460 | $48,860 | $49,660 |
| 295 | Slidell, LA | $44,450 | $34,900 | $49,150 | $47,940 |
| 296 | Killeen, TX | $44,430 | $36,170 | $48,480 | $48,750 |
| 297 | Tallahassee, FL | $44,370 | $35,780 | $48,590 | $47,240 |
| 298 | Birmingham, AL | $44,300 | $34,860 | $48,960 | $48,340 |
| 299 | Deltona, FL | $44,240 | $36,280 | $48,150 | $44,520 |
| 300 | Jefferson City, MO | $44,240 | $36,980 | $47,820 | $50,290 |
| 301 | San Antonio, TX | $44,240 | $37,130 | $47,760 | $46,710 |
| 302 | Victoria, TX | $44,240 | $34,110 | $49,230 | $49,240 |
| 303 | Yuma, AZ | $44,160 | $36,190 | $48,090 | $47,630 |
| 304 | Gulfport, MS | $44,140 | $34,380 | $48,940 | $49,040 |
| 305 | Muncie, IN | $44,140 | $35,070 | $48,630 | $50,070 |
| 306 | Harrisonburg, VA | $44,120 | $35,960 | $48,130 | $46,490 |
| 307 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,100 | $37,290 | $47,440 | $46,160 |
| 308 | Odessa, TX | $44,080 | $34,690 | $48,690 | $46,950 |
| 309 | Fayetteville, AR | $44,010 | $35,610 | $48,150 | $48,180 |
| 310 | Huntsville, AL | $43,970 | $36,610 | $47,610 | $47,240 |
| 311 | Brunswick, GA | $43,890 | $35,780 | $47,900 | $50,040 |
| 312 | Beaumont, TX | $43,850 | $35,610 | $47,900 | $48,700 |
| 313 | Pocatello, ID | $43,830 | $35,420 | $47,960 | $49,300 |
| 314 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $43,720 | $35,550 | $47,740 | $50,790 |
| 315 | Twin Falls, ID | $43,720 | $35,800 | $47,630 | $47,470 |
| 316 | Springfield, MO | $43,600 | $35,070 | $47,820 | $49,220 |
| 317 | Lynchburg, VA | $43,530 | $35,670 | $47,400 | $48,710 |
| 318 | Augusta, GA-SC | $43,490 | $35,400 | $47,470 | $47,320 |
| 319 | Johnstown, PA | $43,470 | $35,960 | $47,170 | $50,590 |
| 320 | Warner Robins, GA | $43,450 | $35,190 | $47,530 | $46,330 |
| 321 | Sherman, TX | $43,430 | $34,880 | $47,630 | $46,310 |
| 322 | Binghamton, NY | $43,390 | $36,650 | $46,700 | $46,720 |
| 323 | Waco, TX | $43,390 | $34,860 | $47,590 | $46,880 |
| 324 | Albany, GA | $43,310 | $35,550 | $47,130 | $49,400 |
| 325 | Amarillo, TX | $43,160 | $35,130 | $47,110 | $47,010 |
| 326 | Roanoke, VA | $43,160 | $35,550 | $46,920 | $46,100 |
| 327 | Joplin, MO-KS | $43,140 | $35,530 | $46,880 | $50,330 |
| 328 | Watertown, NY | $43,140 | $36,730 | $46,300 | $49,200 |
| 329 | Sumter, SC | $43,100 | $35,820 | $46,680 | $48,970 |
| 330 | Macon, GA | $43,060 | $34,960 | $47,050 | $48,640 |
| 331 | Houston, TX | $43,010 | $34,070 | $47,420 | $43,610 |
| 332 | Little Rock, AR | $42,910 | $36,480 | $46,050 | $48,020 |
| 333 | Dalton, GA | $42,890 | $36,320 | $46,110 | $47,740 |
| 334 | Decatur, AL | $42,760 | $36,030 | $46,070 | $49,030 |
| 335 | Huntington, WV-KY-OH | $42,720 | $33,570 | $47,220 | $48,310 |
| 336 | Columbus, GA-AL | $42,700 | $32,070 | $47,940 | $47,820 |
| 337 | Charleston, WV | $42,640 | $34,050 | $46,880 | $48,060 |
| 338 | College Station, TX | $42,450 | $34,420 | $46,400 | $46,670 |
| 339 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $42,430 | $34,220 | $46,490 | $38,240 |
| 340 | Corpus Christi, TX | $42,410 | $35,210 | $45,950 | $45,760 |
| 341 | Salt Lake City, UT | $42,350 | $36,340 | $45,300 | $41,990 |
| 342 | Valdosta, GA | $42,310 | $34,780 | $46,010 | $47,930 |
| 343 | Florence, SC | $42,180 | $34,320 | $46,030 | $48,610 |
| 344 | Longview, TX | $42,000 | $33,800 | $46,030 | $46,940 |
| 345 | Abilene, TX | $41,950 | $34,630 | $45,530 | $46,420 |
| 346 | Alexandria, LA | $41,790 | $32,570 | $46,340 | $48,770 |
| 347 | Baton Rouge, LA | $41,640 | $34,240 | $45,300 | $45,870 |
| 348 | Houma, LA | $41,640 | $32,880 | $45,950 | $48,930 |
| 349 | Tyler, TX | $41,640 | $34,090 | $45,340 | $45,180 |
| 350 | Wichita Falls, TX | $41,560 | $33,860 | $45,360 | $46,430 |
| 351 | Morgantown, WV | $41,540 | $33,610 | $45,430 | $44,510 |
| 352 | Shreveport, LA | $41,520 | $32,930 | $45,740 | $48,980 |
| 353 | Lubbock, TX | $41,390 | $33,740 | $45,160 | $45,330 |
| 354 | Hattiesburg, MS | $41,250 | $32,070 | $45,760 | $47,070 |
| 355 | Auburn, AL | $41,140 | $33,680 | $44,800 | $46,790 |
| 356 | Montgomery, AL | $41,140 | $33,610 | $44,870 | $45,870 |
| 357 | Mobile, AL | $41,080 | $34,240 | $44,450 | $46,630 |
| 358 | San Angelo, TX | $40,890 | $34,840 | $43,890 | $44,230 |
| 359 | Daphne, AL | $40,580 | $34,010 | $43,830 | $42,860 |
| 360 | Lake Charles, LA | $40,560 | $31,510 | $45,010 | $47,240 |
| 361 | Beckley, WV | $40,460 | $33,470 | $43,910 | $45,790 |
| 362 | Enid, OK | $40,370 | $35,340 | $42,850 | $47,910 |
| 363 | El Paso, TX | $40,250 | $32,660 | $43,990 | $44,770 |
| 364 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,140 | $33,630 | $43,370 | $46,740 |
| 365 | Las Cruces, NM | $40,100 | $34,880 | $42,660 | $44,450 |
| 366 | Parkersburg, WV | $40,100 | $34,200 | $43,010 | $46,060 |
| 367 | Jonesboro, AR | $40,080 | $34,300 | $42,930 | $46,670 |
| 368 | Provo, UT | $40,000 | $35,050 | $42,450 | $40,720 |
| 369 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $40,000 | $33,070 | $43,390 | $47,610 |
| 370 | Ogden, UT | $39,960 | $34,690 | $42,540 | $39,820 |
| 371 | Hot Springs, AR | $39,690 | $33,340 | $42,810 | $46,300 |
| 372 | Florence, AL | $39,460 | $32,970 | $42,660 | $46,520 |
| 373 | Brownsville, TX | $39,330 | $31,990 | $42,950 | $45,750 |
| 374 | Monroe, LA | $39,330 | $31,740 | $43,080 | $47,050 |
| 375 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $39,020 | $31,740 | $42,620 | $44,480 |
| 376 | St. George, UT | $39,000 | $32,800 | $42,040 | $40,070 |
| 377 | Dothan, AL | $38,880 | $33,050 | $41,720 | $46,380 |
| 378 | Laredo, TX | $38,690 | $31,950 | $42,020 | $44,490 |
| 379 | McAllen, TX | $38,630 | $30,100 | $42,830 | $44,970 |
| 380 | Anniston, AL | $38,000 | $29,930 | $41,970 | $44,210 |
| 381 | San Juan, PR | $37,520 | $25,980 | $43,220 | N/A |
| 382 | Gadsden, AL | $37,460 | $30,950 | $40,660 | $43,730 |
| 383 | Aguadilla, PR | $36,980 | $24,540 | $43,120 | N/A |
| 384 | Arecibo, PR | $36,500 | $24,400 | $42,470 | N/A |
| 385 | Logan, UT-ID | $36,320 | $30,010 | $39,420 | $37,860 |
| 386 | Ponce, PR | $36,300 | $24,860 | $41,930 | N/A |
| 387 | Guayama, PR | $34,320 | $22,380 | $40,210 | N/A |
| 388 | Mayaguez, PR | $33,950 | $22,690 | $39,500 | N/A |
More
More on dental assistants
Method
About these numbers
- Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
- Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
- OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
- At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.
Questions
Dental Assistant salary by city: FAQ
Which city pays dental assistants the most?
San Jose, CA, where the average (mean) wage is $71,160 a year, followed by Minneapolis, MN-WI ($67,410), San Francisco, CA ($64,900), Santa Rosa, CA ($62,500). The national mean is $50,200 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Where do dental assistants earn the most after cost of living?
Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in St. Cloud, MN ($69,070 at national prices, $60,530 nominal), Rochester, MN ($68,110 at national prices, $61,860 nominal), Mankato, MN ($66,250 at national prices, $60,260 nominal).
How much do dental assistants make in the biggest cities?
New York, NY-NJ: $51,560; Los Angeles, CA: $49,050; Chicago, IL-IN: $50,380; Dallas, TX: $47,780; Houston, TX: $43,010 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).
Where do dental assistants earn the least?
Of the 388 metro areas with their own estimate, Mayaguez, PR has the lowest mean wage, $33,950.