Dental Assistant Pay

Casper vs Rawlins: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Casper, WY and Rawlins, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$49,507
$23.80/hr
Rawlins, WY
$45,016
$21.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYRawlins, WY
Median Salary$49,507$45,016
Hourly Rate$23.80$21.64
Entry Level (P10)$37,058$35,689
25th Percentile$38,812$41,676
75th Percentile$52,024$51,450
Top Earner (P90)$52,901$56,629
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($49,507) and Rawlins ($45,016) dental assistant salaries.CasperRawlinsMedian Salary$49,507$45,016Entry Level (P10)$37,058$35,689Top Earner (P90)$52,901$56,629US Median $49,579

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rawlins.

The salary gap between Casper and Rawlins is $4,491 (9.98%). Casper's median is -0.15% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $15,843,Rawlins spans $20,940. Rawlins has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$37,058
P25$38,812
Median$49,507
P75$52,024
P90 (Top)$52,901
Rawlins
P10 (Entry)$35,689
P25$41,676
Median$45,016
P75$51,450
P90 (Top)$56,629

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($52,763 effective) pays 12.29% more than Rawlins ($46,990 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $49,507
CoL Index: 93.829
Adjusted: $52,763
Rawlins
Nominal: $45,016
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $46,990

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,507/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,763)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Rawlins if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,629)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Casper grew 16.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.2% growth in Rawlins over the same period.

Casper, WY

+16.8%

$41,100 (2019) → $48,000 (2025)

Rawlins, WY

+9.2%

$39,951 (2024) → $43,646 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Casper or Rawlins?

Casper has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,507/year, compared to Rawlins at $45,016/year — a difference of $4,491 (9.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Rawlins?

Casper dental assistants earn $23.80/hr while Rawlins hygienists earn $21.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casper to Rawlins as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Rawlins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $52,763, Rawlins = $46,990), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Casper vs Rawlins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,058 in Casper and $35,689 in Rawlins. The Casper area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

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