Dental Assistant Pay

Raymore vs St. Louis: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Raymore, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raymore, MO
$42,905
$20.63/hr
St. Louis, MO
$49,631
$23.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaymore, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$42,905$49,631
Hourly Rate$20.63$23.86
Entry Level (P10)$35,955$38,966
25th Percentile$40,163$45,495
75th Percentile$50,363$60,069
Top Earner (P90)$52,083$62,431
Total Employed62,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raymore ($42,905) and St. Louis ($49,631) dental assistant salaries.RaymoreSt. LouisMedian Salary$42,905$49,631Entry Level (P10)$35,955$38,966Top Earner (P90)$52,083$62,431US Median $49,579

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Raymore.

The salary gap between Raymore and St. Louis is $6,726 (15.68%). St. Louis's median is +0.10% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raymore spans $16,128,St. Louis spans $23,465. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Raymore
P10 (Entry)$35,955
P25$40,163
Median$42,905
P75$50,363
P90 (Top)$52,083
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$38,966
P25$45,495
Median$49,631
P75$60,069
P90 (Top)$62,431

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($52,195 effective) pays 9.00% more than Raymore ($47,885 effective).

Raymore
Nominal: $42,905
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $47,885
St. Louis
Nominal: $49,631
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $52,195

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raymore if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,631/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,431)
  • Larger job market (2,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,195)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Raymore grew 19.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Raymore, MO

+19.4%

$34,838 (2024) → $41,599 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+19.0%

$40,420 (2019) → $48,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Raymore or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,631/year, compared to Raymore at $42,905/year — a difference of $6,726 (15.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raymore and St. Louis?

Raymore dental assistants earn $20.63/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $23.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raymore to St. Louis as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raymore and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raymore = $47,885, St. Louis = $52,195), job availability (6 vs 2,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Raymore vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,955 in Raymore and $38,966 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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