Dental Assistant Pay

Denver vs Evans: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Denver, CO and Evans, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$51,044
$24.54/hr
Evans, CO
$45,926
$22.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COEvans, CO
Median Salary$51,044$45,926
Hourly Rate$24.54$22.08
Entry Level (P10)$40,091$38,517
25th Percentile$48,455$44,051
75th Percentile$60,842$54,905
Top Earner (P90)$62,688$57,359
Total Employed4,1605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($51,044) and Evans ($45,926) dental assistant salaries.DenverEvansMedian Salary$51,044$45,926Entry Level (P10)$40,091$38,517Top Earner (P90)$62,688$57,359US Median $49,579

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Evans.

The salary gap between Denver and Evans is $5,118 (11.14%). Denver's median is +2.95% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $22,597,Evans spans $18,842. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$40,091
P25$48,455
Median$51,044
P75$60,842
P90 (Top)$62,688
Evans
P10 (Entry)$38,517
P25$44,051
Median$45,926
P75$54,905
P90 (Top)$57,359

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($48,254 effective) pays 10.32% more than Evans ($43,739 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $51,044
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $48,254
Evans
Nominal: $45,926
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $43,739

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,044/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,688)
  • Larger job market (4,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,254)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Evans if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Denver grew 11.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.6% growth in Evans over the same period.

Denver, CO

+11.8%

$44,250 (2019) → $49,490 (2025)

Evans, CO

+-4.6%

$46,677 (2024) → $44,528 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Denver or Evans?

Denver has a higher median dental assistant salary at $51,044/year, compared to Evans at $45,926/year — a difference of $5,118 (11.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Evans?

Denver dental assistants earn $24.54/hr while Evans hygienists earn $22.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Evans as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Evans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $48,254, Evans = $43,739), job availability (4,160 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Denver vs Evans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $40,091 in Denver and $38,517 in Evans. The Denver 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