Dental Assistant Pay

Durant vs Oklahoma City: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Durant, OK and Oklahoma City, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durant, OK
$41,264
$19.83/hr
Oklahoma City, OK
$47,702
$22.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurant, OKOklahoma City, OK
Median Salary$41,264$47,702
Hourly Rate$19.83$22.94
Entry Level (P10)$35,540$37,430
25th Percentile$40,127$38,069
75th Percentile$47,507$49,724
Top Earner (P90)$50,854$61,100
Total Employed51,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durant ($41,264) and Oklahoma City ($47,702) dental assistant salaries.DurantOklahoma CityMedian Salary$41,264$47,702Entry Level (P10)$35,540$37,430Top Earner (P90)$50,854$61,100US Median $49,579

Verdict

Oklahoma City, OK offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Durant.

The salary gap between Durant and Oklahoma City is $6,438 (15.60%). Oklahoma City's median is -3.79% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durant spans $15,314,Oklahoma City spans $23,670. Oklahoma City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Durant
P10 (Entry)$35,540
P25$40,127
Median$41,264
P75$47,507
P90 (Top)$50,854
Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$37,430
P25$38,069
Median$47,702
P75$49,724
P90 (Top)$61,100

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oklahoma City ($52,763 effective) pays 13.67% more than Durant ($46,416 effective).

Durant
Nominal: $41,264
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $46,416
Oklahoma City
Nominal: $47,702
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $52,763

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durant if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,702/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,100)
  • Larger job market (1,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,763)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Durant grew 26.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Oklahoma City over the same period.

Durant, OK

+26.5%

$31,627 (2024) → $40,008 (2025)

Oklahoma City, OK

+22.9%

$37,620 (2019) → $46,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Durant or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,702/year, compared to Durant at $41,264/year — a difference of $6,438 (15.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durant and Oklahoma City?

Durant dental assistants earn $19.83/hr while Oklahoma City hygienists earn $22.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durant to Oklahoma City as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durant and Oklahoma City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durant = $46,416, Oklahoma City = $52,763), job availability (5 vs 1,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Durant vs Oklahoma City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,540 in Durant and $37,430 in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City 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