Dental Assistant Pay

Cedar City vs Provo: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cedar City, UT
$37,224
$17.89/hr
Provo, UT
$37,729
$18.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar City, UTProvo, UT
Median Salary$37,224$37,729
Hourly Rate$17.89$18.14
Entry Level (P10)$29,300$36,738
25th Percentile$35,768$37,130
75th Percentile$43,609$45,629
Top Earner (P90)$45,352$47,723
Total Employed91,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar City ($37,224) and Provo ($37,729) dental assistant salaries.Cedar CityProvoMedian Salary$37,224$37,729Entry Level (P10)$29,300$36,738Top Earner (P90)$45,352$47,723US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cedar City and Provo is $505 (1.36%). 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 Cedar City spans $16,052,Provo spans $10,985. Cedar City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar City
P10 (Entry)$29,300
P25$35,768
Median$37,224
P75$43,609
P90 (Top)$45,352
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 1.22% more than Cedar City ($37,945 effective).

Cedar City
Nominal: $37,224
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $37,945
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 Cedar City 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 Cedar City grew -15.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Provo over the same period.

Cedar City, UT

+-15.3%

$42,588 (2024) → $36,091 (2025)

Provo, UT

+25.3%

$29,200 (2019) → $36,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Cedar City or Provo?

Provo has a higher median dental assistant salary at $37,729/year, compared to Cedar City at $37,224/year — a difference of $505 (1.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar City and Provo?

Cedar City dental assistants earn $17.89/hr while Provo hygienists earn $18.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar City to Provo as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar City and Provo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar City = $37,945, Provo = $38,408), job availability (9 vs 1,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $29,300 in Cedar City and $36,738 in Provo. The Provo area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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