Dental Assistant Pay

Camas vs Kennewick: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Camas, WA and Kennewick, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Camas, WA
$48,486
$23.31/hr
Kennewick, WA
$51,096
$24.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCamas, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$48,486$51,096
Hourly Rate$23.31$24.57
Entry Level (P10)$38,850$47,362
25th Percentile$45,370$49,260
75th Percentile$58,485$60,749
Top Earner (P90)$61,834$63,297
Total Employed4520
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Camas ($48,486) and Kennewick ($51,096) dental assistant salaries.CamasKennewickMedian Salary$48,486$51,096Entry Level (P10)$38,850$47,362Top Earner (P90)$61,834$63,297US Median $49,579

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Camas.

The salary gap between Camas and Kennewick is $2,610 (5.38%). Kennewick's median is +3.06% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Camas spans $22,984,Kennewick spans $15,935. Camas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Camas
P10 (Entry)$38,850
P25$45,370
Median$48,486
P75$58,485
P90 (Top)$61,834
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$47,362
P25$49,260
Median$51,096
P75$60,749
P90 (Top)$63,297

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($51,056 effective) pays 13.09% more than Camas ($45,145 effective).

Camas
Nominal: $48,486
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $45,145
Kennewick
Nominal: $51,096
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $51,056

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Camas if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,096/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,297)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,056)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Camas grew -14.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Camas, WA

+-14.6%

$55,034 (2024) → $47,010 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+28.6%

$38,530 (2019) → $49,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Camas or Kennewick?

Kennewick has a higher median dental assistant salary at $51,096/year, compared to Camas at $48,486/year — a difference of $2,610 (5.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Camas and Kennewick?

Camas dental assistants earn $23.31/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $24.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Camas to Kennewick as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Camas and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Camas = $45,145, Kennewick = $51,056), job availability (4 vs 520 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Camas vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,850 in Camas and $47,362 in Kennewick. The Kennewick 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