Dental Assistant Pay

Logan vs Salt Lake City: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Logan, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Logan, UT
$36,800
$17.69/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$39,534
$19.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLogan, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$36,800$39,534
Hourly Rate$17.69$19.01
Entry Level (P10)$31,282$37,770
25th Percentile$33,242$38,512
75th Percentile$39,874$48,940
Top Earner (P90)$46,176$49,961
Total Employed2702,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Logan ($36,800) and Salt Lake City ($39,534) dental assistant salaries.LoganSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$36,800$39,534Entry Level (P10)$31,282$37,770Top Earner (P90)$46,176$49,961US Median $49,579

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Logan.

The salary gap between Logan and Salt Lake City is $2,734 (7.43%). Salt Lake City's median is -20.26% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Logan spans $14,894,Salt Lake City spans $12,191. Logan has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Logan
P10 (Entry)$31,282
P25$33,242
Median$36,800
P75$39,874
P90 (Top)$46,176
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$37,770
P25$38,512
Median$39,534
P75$48,940
P90 (Top)$49,961

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($39,194 effective) pays 2.17% more than Logan ($38,363 effective).

Logan
Nominal: $36,800
CoL Index: 95.927
Adjusted: $38,363
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $39,534
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $39,194

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Logan if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,534/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,961)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,194)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Logan grew 35.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.6% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Logan, UT

+35.9%

$26,250 (2019) → $35,680 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+8.6%

$35,290 (2019) → $38,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Logan or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median dental assistant salary at $39,534/year, compared to Logan at $36,800/year — a difference of $2,734 (7.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Logan and Salt Lake City?

Logan dental assistants earn $17.69/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $19.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Logan to Salt Lake City as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Logan and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Logan = $38,363, Salt Lake City = $39,194), job availability (270 vs 2,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Logan vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $31,282 in Logan and $37,770 in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City 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