Dental Assistant Pay

Olathe vs Prairie Village: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Olathe, KS and Prairie Village, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olathe, KS
$45,222
$21.74/hr
Prairie Village, KS
$42,321
$20.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlathe, KSPrairie Village, KS
Median Salary$45,222$42,321
Hourly Rate$21.74$20.35
Entry Level (P10)$35,717$36,485
25th Percentile$42,082$41,314
75th Percentile$54,028$50,375
Top Earner (P90)$60,364$52,500
Total Employed336
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olathe ($45,222) and Prairie Village ($42,321) dental assistant salaries.OlathePrairie VillageMedian Salary$45,222$42,321Entry Level (P10)$35,717$36,485Top Earner (P90)$60,364$52,500US Median $49,579

Verdict

Olathe, KS offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prairie Village.

The salary gap between Olathe and Prairie Village is $2,901 (6.85%). Olathe's median is -8.79% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olathe spans $24,647,Prairie Village spans $16,015. Olathe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Olathe
P10 (Entry)$35,717
P25$42,082
Median$45,222
P75$54,028
P90 (Top)$60,364
Prairie Village
P10 (Entry)$36,485
P25$41,314
Median$42,321
P75$50,375
P90 (Top)$52,500

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olathe ($49,749 effective) pays 6.85% more than Prairie Village ($46,558 effective).

Olathe
Nominal: $45,222
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $49,749
Prairie Village
Nominal: $42,321
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $46,558

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olathe if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,222/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,364)
  • Larger job market (33 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,749)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Prairie Village if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Olathe grew 20.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Prairie Village over the same period.

Olathe, KS

+20.2%

$36,484 (2024) → $43,845 (2025)

Prairie Village, KS

+20.2%

$34,144 (2024) → $41,033 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Olathe or Prairie Village?

Olathe has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,222/year, compared to Prairie Village at $42,321/year — a difference of $2,901 (6.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olathe and Prairie Village?

Olathe dental assistants earn $21.74/hr while Prairie Village hygienists earn $20.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olathe to Prairie Village as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olathe and Prairie Village. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olathe = $49,749, Prairie Village = $46,558), job availability (33 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Olathe vs Prairie Village?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,717 in Olathe and $36,485 in Prairie Village. The Prairie Village area offers higher starting salaries.
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