Dental Assistant Pay

Bountiful vs Provo: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Bountiful, UT and Provo, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bountiful, UT
$36,208
$17.41/hr
Provo, UT
$37,729
$18.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBountiful, UTProvo, UT
Median Salary$36,208$37,729
Hourly Rate$17.41$18.14
Entry Level (P10)$28,740$36,738
25th Percentile$33,567$37,130
75th Percentile$43,370$45,629
Top Earner (P90)$45,677$47,723
Total Employed91,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bountiful ($36,208) and Provo ($37,729) dental assistant salaries.BountifulProvoMedian Salary$36,208$37,729Entry Level (P10)$28,740$36,738Top Earner (P90)$45,677$47,723US Median $49,579

Verdict

Provo, UT offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bountiful.

The salary gap between Bountiful and Provo is $1,521 (4.20%). Provo's median is -23.90% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bountiful spans $16,937,Provo spans $10,985. Bountiful has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bountiful
P10 (Entry)$28,740
P25$33,567
Median$36,208
P75$43,370
P90 (Top)$45,677
Provo
P10 (Entry)$36,738
P25$37,130
Median$37,729
P75$45,629
P90 (Top)$47,723

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Provo ($38,408 effective) pays 4.06% more than Bountiful ($36,909 effective).

Bountiful
Nominal: $36,208
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $36,909
Provo
Nominal: $37,729
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $38,408

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bountiful if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Provo if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,729/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,723)
  • Larger job market (1,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $38,408)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Bountiful grew -15.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Provo over the same period.

Bountiful, UT

+-15.3%

$41,425 (2024) → $35,106 (2025)

Provo, UT

+25.3%

$29,200 (2019) → $36,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Bountiful or Provo?

Provo has a higher median dental assistant salary at $37,729/year, compared to Bountiful at $36,208/year — a difference of $1,521 (4.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bountiful and Provo?

Bountiful dental assistants earn $17.41/hr while Provo hygienists earn $18.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bountiful to Provo as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bountiful and Provo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bountiful = $36,909, Provo = $38,408), job availability (9 vs 1,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Bountiful vs Provo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $28,740 in Bountiful and $36,738 in Provo. The Provo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% 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 Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov