Dental Assistant Pay

Detroit vs Wyoming: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Detroit, MI and Wyoming, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$51,683
$24.85/hr
Wyoming, MI
$52,719
$25.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIWyoming, MI
Median Salary$51,683$52,719
Hourly Rate$24.85$25.34
Entry Level (P10)$38,172$39,793
25th Percentile$47,558$47,578
75th Percentile$59,027$62,445
Top Earner (P90)$60,502$70,847
Total Employed6,03011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($51,683) and Wyoming ($52,719) dental assistant salaries.DetroitWyomingMedian Salary$51,683$52,719Entry Level (P10)$38,172$39,793Top Earner (P90)$60,502$70,847US Median $49,579

Verdict

Wyoming, MI offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Detroit.

The salary gap between Detroit and Wyoming is $1,036 (2.00%). Wyoming's median is +6.33% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $22,330,Wyoming spans $31,054. Wyoming has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$38,172
P25$47,558
Median$51,683
P75$59,027
P90 (Top)$60,502
Wyoming
P10 (Entry)$39,793
P25$47,578
Median$52,719
P75$62,445
P90 (Top)$70,847

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wyoming ($56,565 effective) pays 9.77% more than Detroit ($51,529 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $51,683
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $51,529
Wyoming
Nominal: $52,719
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $56,565

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Larger job market (6,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Wyoming if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,719/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,847)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,565)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Detroit grew 35.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.3% growth in Wyoming over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+35.5%

$36,970 (2019) → $50,110 (2025)

Wyoming, MI

+30.3%

$39,232 (2024) → $51,114 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Detroit or Wyoming?

Wyoming has a higher median dental assistant salary at $52,719/year, compared to Detroit at $51,683/year — a difference of $1,036 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Wyoming?

Detroit dental assistants earn $24.85/hr while Wyoming hygienists earn $25.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Wyoming as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Wyoming. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $51,529, Wyoming = $56,565), job availability (6,030 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Detroit vs Wyoming?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,172 in Detroit and $39,793 in Wyoming. The Wyoming 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