Dental Assistant Pay

Crown Point vs Fort Wayne: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Crown Point, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Crown Point, IN
$47,428
$22.80/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$50,198
$24.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCrown Point, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$47,428$50,198
Hourly Rate$22.80$24.13
Entry Level (P10)$38,508$39,162
25th Percentile$44,606$48,631
75th Percentile$57,427$60,997
Top Earner (P90)$60,845$62,750
Total Employed7630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Crown Point ($47,428) and Fort Wayne ($50,198) dental assistant salaries.Crown PointFort WayneMedian Salary$47,428$50,198Entry Level (P10)$38,508$39,162Top Earner (P90)$60,845$62,750US Median $49,579

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Crown Point.

The salary gap between Crown Point and Fort Wayne is $2,770 (5.84%). Fort Wayne's median is +1.25% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Crown Point spans $22,337,Fort Wayne spans $23,588. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Crown Point
P10 (Entry)$38,508
P25$44,606
Median$47,428
P75$57,427
P90 (Top)$60,845
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$39,162
P25$48,631
Median$50,198
P75$60,997
P90 (Top)$62,750

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($54,226 effective) pays 4.39% more than Crown Point ($51,947 effective).

Crown Point
Nominal: $47,428
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $51,947
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $50,198
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $54,226

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Crown Point if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,198/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,750)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,226)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Crown Point grew 25.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Crown Point, IN

+25.9%

$36,534 (2024) → $45,984 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+24.0%

$39,250 (2019) → $48,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Crown Point or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median dental assistant salary at $50,198/year, compared to Crown Point at $47,428/year — a difference of $2,770 (5.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Crown Point and Fort Wayne?

Crown Point dental assistants earn $22.80/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $24.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Crown Point to Fort Wayne as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Crown Point and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Crown Point = $51,947, Fort Wayne = $54,226), job availability (7 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Crown Point vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,508 in Crown Point and $39,162 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne 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