Dental Assistant Pay

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

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

Salt Lake City, UT
$39,534
$19.01/hr
Springville, UT
$35,793
$17.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalt Lake City, UTSpringville, UT
Median Salary$39,534$35,793
Hourly Rate$19.01$17.20
Entry Level (P10)$37,770$28,816
25th Percentile$38,512$32,686
75th Percentile$48,940$42,392
Top Earner (P90)$49,961$44,364
Total Employed2,4708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salt Lake City ($39,534) and Springville ($35,793) dental assistant salaries.Salt Lake CitySpringvilleMedian Salary$39,534$35,793Entry Level (P10)$37,770$28,816Top Earner (P90)$49,961$44,364US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Springville is $3,741 (10.45%). 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 Salt Lake City spans $12,191,Springville spans $15,548. Springville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$37,770
P25$38,512
Median$39,534
P75$48,940
P90 (Top)$49,961
Springville
P10 (Entry)$28,816
P25$32,686
Median$35,793
P75$42,392
P90 (Top)$44,364

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($39,194 effective) pays 7.42% more than Springville ($36,486 effective).

Salt Lake City
Nominal: $39,534
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $39,194
Springville
Nominal: $35,793
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $36,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Springville if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Salt Lake City grew 8.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -15.3% growth in Springville over the same period.

Salt Lake City, UT

+8.6%

$35,290 (2019) → $38,330 (2025)

Springville, UT

+-15.3%

$40,950 (2024) → $34,703 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Salt Lake City has a higher median dental assistant salary at $39,534/year, compared to Springville at $35,793/year — a difference of $3,741 (10.45%).

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

Salt Lake City dental assistants earn $19.01/hr while Springville hygienists earn $17.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salt Lake City and Springville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salt Lake City = $39,194, Springville = $36,486), job availability (2,470 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,770 in Salt Lake City and $28,816 in Springville. 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