Dental Assistant Pay

Cheyenne vs Evanston: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cheyenne, WY
$47,929
$23.04/hr
Evanston, WY
$44,520
$21.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCheyenne, WYEvanston, WY
Median Salary$47,929$44,520
Hourly Rate$23.04$21.40
Entry Level (P10)$37,595$38,435
25th Percentile$39,286$43,359
75th Percentile$50,766$51,318
Top Earner (P90)$57,923$52,345
Total Employed1106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cheyenne ($47,929) and Evanston ($44,520) dental assistant salaries.CheyenneEvanstonMedian Salary$47,929$44,520Entry Level (P10)$37,595$38,435Top Earner (P90)$57,923$52,345US Median $49,579

Verdict

Cheyenne, WY offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Evanston.

The salary gap between Cheyenne and Evanston is $3,409 (7.66%). Cheyenne's median is -3.33% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cheyenne spans $20,328,Evanston spans $13,910. Cheyenne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cheyenne
P10 (Entry)$37,595
P25$39,286
Median$47,929
P75$50,766
P90 (Top)$57,923
Evanston
P10 (Entry)$38,435
P25$43,359
Median$44,520
P75$51,318
P90 (Top)$52,345

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($49,672 effective) pays 6.89% more than Evanston ($46,472 effective).

Cheyenne
Nominal: $47,929
CoL Index: 96.491
Adjusted: $49,672
Evanston
Nominal: $44,520
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $46,472

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cheyenne if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,929/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,923)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,672)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Evanston if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Cheyenne grew 27.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.3% growth in Evanston over the same period.

Cheyenne, WY

+27.8%

$36,350 (2019) → $46,470 (2025)

Evanston, WY

+9.3%

$39,510 (2024) → $43,165 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Cheyenne or Evanston?

Cheyenne has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,929/year, compared to Evanston at $44,520/year — a difference of $3,409 (7.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cheyenne and Evanston?

Cheyenne dental assistants earn $23.04/hr while Evanston hygienists earn $21.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cheyenne to Evanston as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cheyenne and Evanston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cheyenne = $49,672, Evanston = $46,472), job availability (110 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Cheyenne vs Evanston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,595 in Cheyenne and $38,435 in Evanston. The Evanston 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