Dental Assistant Pay

Kansas City vs Sedalia: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Kansas City, MO and Sedalia, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$49,703
$23.90/hr
Sedalia, MO
$44,498
$21.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOSedalia, MO
Median Salary$49,703$44,498
Hourly Rate$23.90$21.39
Entry Level (P10)$39,389$36,464
25th Percentile$40,369$41,918
75th Percentile$55,448$51,536
Top Earner (P90)$61,399$52,891
Total Employed2,4706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($49,703) and Sedalia ($44,498) dental assistant salaries.Kansas CitySedaliaMedian Salary$49,703$44,498Entry Level (P10)$39,389$36,464Top Earner (P90)$61,399$52,891US Median $49,579

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sedalia.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Sedalia is $5,205 (11.70%). Kansas City's median is +0.25% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $22,010,Sedalia spans $16,427. Kansas City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$39,389
P25$40,369
Median$49,703
P75$55,448
P90 (Top)$61,399
Sedalia
P10 (Entry)$36,464
P25$41,918
Median$44,498
P75$51,536
P90 (Top)$52,891

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($53,708 effective) pays 8.15% more than Sedalia ($49,663 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $49,703
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $53,708
Sedalia
Nominal: $44,498
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $49,663

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,703/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,399)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,708)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Sedalia if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Kansas City grew 19.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Sedalia over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+19.2%

$40,420 (2019) → $48,190 (2025)

Sedalia, MO

+19.4%

$36,131 (2024) → $43,143 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Kansas City or Sedalia?

Kansas City has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,703/year, compared to Sedalia at $44,498/year — a difference of $5,205 (11.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Sedalia?

Kansas City dental assistants earn $23.90/hr while Sedalia hygienists earn $21.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Sedalia as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Sedalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $53,708, Sedalia = $49,663), job availability (2,470 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Kansas City vs Sedalia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $39,389 in Kansas City and $36,464 in Sedalia. The Kansas City 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