Dental Assistant Pay

Lansing vs Romulus: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$57,913
$27.84/hr
Romulus, MI
$44,743
$21.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$57,913$44,743
Hourly Rate$27.84$21.52
Entry Level (P10)$37,491$37,610
25th Percentile$46,939$42,836
75th Percentile$58,831$52,466
Top Earner (P90)$59,326$54,227
Total Employed5505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($57,913) and Romulus ($44,743) dental assistant salaries.LansingRomulusMedian Salary$57,913$44,743Entry Level (P10)$37,491$37,610Top Earner (P90)$59,326$54,227US Median $49,579

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romulus.

The salary gap between Lansing and Romulus is $13,170 (29.43%). Lansing's median is +16.81% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $21,835,Romulus spans $16,617. Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$37,491
P25$46,939
Median$57,913
P75$58,831
P90 (Top)$59,326
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$37,610
P25$42,836
Median$44,743
P75$52,466
P90 (Top)$54,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($60,967 effective) pays 26.99% more than Romulus ($48,008 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $57,913
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $60,967
Romulus
Nominal: $44,743
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $48,008

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,913/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,326)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,967)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Romulus if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Lansing grew 37.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Romulus over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+37.6%

$40,820 (2019) → $56,150 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+19.8%

$36,199 (2024) → $43,381 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Lansing or Romulus?

Lansing has a higher median dental assistant salary at $57,913/year, compared to Romulus at $44,743/year — a difference of $13,170 (29.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Romulus?

Lansing dental assistants earn $27.84/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $21.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Romulus as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $60,967, Romulus = $48,008), job availability (550 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Lansing vs Romulus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,491 in Lansing and $37,610 in Romulus. The Romulus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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