Dental Assistant Pay

Sedalia vs Springfield: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Sedalia, MO
$44,498
$21.39/hr
Springfield, MO
$46,929
$22.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSedalia, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$44,498$46,929
Hourly Rate$21.39$22.57
Entry Level (P10)$36,464$36,377
25th Percentile$41,918$37,873
75th Percentile$51,536$49,291
Top Earner (P90)$52,891$51,683
Total Employed6850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sedalia ($44,498) and Springfield ($46,929) dental assistant salaries.SedaliaSpringfieldMedian Salary$44,498$46,929Entry Level (P10)$36,464$36,377Top Earner (P90)$52,891$51,683US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sedalia and Springfield is $2,431 (5.46%). 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 Sedalia spans $16,427,Springfield spans $15,306. Sedalia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sedalia
P10 (Entry)$36,464
P25$41,918
Median$44,498
P75$51,536
P90 (Top)$52,891
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 6.67% more than Sedalia ($49,663 effective).

Sedalia
Nominal: $44,498
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $49,663
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 Sedalia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,891)
  • 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 Sedalia grew 19.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.4% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Sedalia, MO

+19.4%

$36,131 (2024) → $43,143 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+17.4%

$38,750 (2019) → $45,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Sedalia or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dental assistant salary at $46,929/year, compared to Sedalia at $44,498/year — a difference of $2,431 (5.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sedalia and Springfield?

Sedalia dental assistants earn $21.39/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sedalia and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sedalia = $49,663, Springfield = $52,976), job availability (6 vs 850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,464 in Sedalia and $36,377 in Springfield. The Sedalia 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