Dental Assistant Pay

Lansing vs Wyoming: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$57,913
$27.84/hr
Wyoming, MI
$52,719
$25.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIWyoming, MI
Median Salary$57,913$52,719
Hourly Rate$27.84$25.34
Entry Level (P10)$37,491$39,793
25th Percentile$46,939$47,578
75th Percentile$58,831$62,445
Top Earner (P90)$59,326$70,847
Total Employed55011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($57,913) and Wyoming ($52,719) dental assistant salaries.LansingWyomingMedian Salary$57,913$52,719Entry Level (P10)$37,491$39,793Top Earner (P90)$59,326$70,847US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lansing and Wyoming is $5,194 (9.85%). 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,Wyoming spans $31,054. Wyoming has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$37,491
P25$46,939
Median$57,913
P75$58,831
P90 (Top)$59,326
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, Lansing ($60,967 effective) pays 7.78% more than Wyoming ($56,565 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $57,913
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $60,967
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 Lansing if…

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

Choose Wyoming if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($70,847)
  • 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 30.3% growth in Wyoming over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+37.6%

$40,820 (2019) → $56,150 (2025)

Wyoming, MI

+30.3%

$39,232 (2024) → $51,114 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Lansing or Wyoming?

Lansing has a higher median dental assistant salary at $57,913/year, compared to Wyoming at $52,719/year — a difference of $5,194 (9.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Wyoming?

Lansing dental assistants earn $27.84/hr while Wyoming hygienists earn $25.34/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Wyoming. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $60,967, Wyoming = $56,565), job availability (550 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,491 in Lansing 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