Dental Assistant Pay

Raytown vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Raytown, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raytown, MO
$44,735
$21.50/hr
Springfield, MO
$46,929
$22.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaytown, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$44,735$46,929
Hourly Rate$21.50$22.57
Entry Level (P10)$37,225$36,377
25th Percentile$42,775$37,873
75th Percentile$53,917$49,291
Top Earner (P90)$56,815$51,683
Total Employed4850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raytown ($44,735) and Springfield ($46,929) dental assistant salaries.RaytownSpringfieldMedian Salary$44,735$46,929Entry Level (P10)$37,225$36,377Top Earner (P90)$56,815$51,683US Median $49,579

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raytown.

The salary gap between Raytown and Springfield is $2,194 (4.90%). Springfield's median is -5.35% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raytown spans $19,590,Springfield spans $15,306. Raytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raytown
P10 (Entry)$37,225
P25$42,775
Median$44,735
P75$53,917
P90 (Top)$56,815
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$36,377
P25$37,873
Median$46,929
P75$49,291
P90 (Top)$51,683

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($52,976 effective) pays 6.11% more than Raytown ($49,927 effective).

Raytown
Nominal: $44,735
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $49,927
Springfield
Nominal: $46,929
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $52,976

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raytown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,815)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,929/year)
  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,976)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Raytown grew 19.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.4% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Raytown, MO

+19.4%

$36,323 (2024) → $43,373 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+17.4%

$38,750 (2019) → $45,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Raytown or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental assistant salary at $46,929/year, compared to Raytown at $44,735/year — a difference of $2,194 (4.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raytown and Springfield?

Raytown dental assistants earn $21.50/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raytown to Springfield as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raytown and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raytown = $49,927, Springfield = $52,976), job availability (4 vs 850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Raytown vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,225 in Raytown and $36,377 in Springfield. The Raytown 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