Dental Assistant Pay

Cheyenne vs Powell: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Cheyenne, WY
$47,929
$23.04/hr
Powell, WY
$43,892
$21.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCheyenne, WYPowell, WY
Median Salary$47,929$43,892
Hourly Rate$23.04$21.10
Entry Level (P10)$37,595$36,650
25th Percentile$39,286$41,982
75th Percentile$50,766$52,363
Top Earner (P90)$57,923$54,640
Total Employed1106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cheyenne ($47,929) and Powell ($43,892) dental assistant salaries.CheyennePowellMedian Salary$47,929$43,892Entry Level (P10)$37,595$36,650Top Earner (P90)$57,923$54,640US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cheyenne and Powell is $4,037 (9.20%). 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,Powell spans $17,990. 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
Powell
P10 (Entry)$36,650
P25$41,982
Median$43,892
P75$52,363
P90 (Top)$54,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($49,672 effective) pays 8.42% more than Powell ($45,816 effective).

Cheyenne
Nominal: $47,929
CoL Index: 96.491
Adjusted: $49,672
Powell
Nominal: $43,892
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $45,816

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 Powell 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 Powell over the same period.

Cheyenne, WY

+27.8%

$36,350 (2019) → $46,470 (2025)

Powell, WY

+9.3%

$38,952 (2024) → $42,556 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Cheyenne or Powell?

Cheyenne has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,929/year, compared to Powell at $43,892/year — a difference of $4,037 (9.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cheyenne and Powell?

Cheyenne dental assistants earn $23.04/hr while Powell hygienists earn $21.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cheyenne and Powell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cheyenne = $49,672, Powell = $45,816), job availability (110 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,595 in Cheyenne and $36,650 in Powell. The Cheyenne 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