Dental Assistant Pay

Murray vs Provo: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Murray, UT and Provo, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murray, UT
$39,700
$19.09/hr
Provo, UT
$37,729
$18.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurray, UTProvo, UT
Median Salary$39,700$37,729
Hourly Rate$19.09$18.14
Entry Level (P10)$29,488$36,738
25th Percentile$35,440$37,130
75th Percentile$48,986$45,629
Top Earner (P90)$52,805$47,723
Total Employed71,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murray ($39,700) and Provo ($37,729) dental assistant salaries.MurrayProvoMedian Salary$39,700$37,729Entry Level (P10)$29,488$36,738Top Earner (P90)$52,805$47,723US Median $49,579

Verdict

Murray, UT offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Provo.

The salary gap between Murray and Provo is $1,971 (5.22%). Murray's median is -19.93% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murray spans $23,317,Provo spans $10,985. Murray has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Murray
P10 (Entry)$29,488
P25$35,440
Median$39,700
P75$48,986
P90 (Top)$52,805
Provo
P10 (Entry)$36,738
P25$37,130
Median$37,729
P75$45,629
P90 (Top)$47,723

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murray ($40,469 effective) pays 5.37% more than Provo ($38,408 effective).

Murray
Nominal: $39,700
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $40,469
Provo
Nominal: $37,729
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $38,408

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murray if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,700/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,805)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,469)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Provo if…

  • Larger job market (1,640 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Murray grew -10.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Provo over the same period.

Murray, UT

+-10.3%

$42,912 (2024) → $38,491 (2025)

Provo, UT

+25.3%

$29,200 (2019) → $36,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Murray or Provo?

Murray has a higher median dental assistant salary at $39,700/year, compared to Provo at $37,729/year — a difference of $1,971 (5.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murray and Provo?

Murray dental assistants earn $19.09/hr while Provo hygienists earn $18.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murray to Provo as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murray and Provo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murray = $40,469, Provo = $38,408), job availability (7 vs 1,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Murray vs Provo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $29,488 in Murray and $36,738 in Provo. The Provo 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