Entry-Level Dental Assistant Salary in Billings, MT: $39,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dental assistants entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,492 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9091, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,226 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($49,043) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates considering an entry-level dental assistant salary in Billings, MT, can expect a starting pay in the realm of $39,492 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum, indicating a financial gap between the entry-level position and the median annual salary for the city, which stands at $49,043. In the formative years of their careers, new dental assistants can anticipate gradual growth, with potential earnings moving up to $40,348 as they gain experience. With a healthy annual growth rate of 3.14%, Billings currently presents a solid market for those entering the profession; early-career dental assistants will find opportunities for advancement, especially if they continue their education and skills development.
In Billings, several employers actively seek out recent graduates to fill dental assistant roles. Large dental service organizations, such as Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental, frequently hire entry-level candidates and offer paid training, making them prime targets for new graduates entering the field. Smaller general and pediatric practices also provide entry-level opportunities, although oral surgery offices generally favor candidates with some experience. To enhance their starting dental assistant pay in MT, new professionals should consider obtaining their DANB CDA certification, completing a DANB-accredited program, and pursuing any additional state licensing that may be required. Developing skills for expanded functions where permissible can significantly increase earning potential, with studies indicating that EFDA-credentialed assistants in supportive states can earn 25-40% more. As the industry adapts to DSO growth and standardizes training practices, recent graduates should strategically align themselves with organizations that invest in their development and recognize that realistic salary increases in the first few years can be achieved through continuing education and on-the-job performance.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Entry-level dental assistants in Billings, MT typically start between $39,492 and $40,348 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,516 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $49,043 — 1.08% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average dental assisting program cost in Montana of $6,000 represents just 15.19% of the starting dental assistant pay ($39,492/year) in Billings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ADA CODA-accredited dental assisting program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type and program length (certificate vs. associate).
DA, CDA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level dental assistant pay ranges from $39,492 to $40,348, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the dental assisting field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Dental Assistant Compensation Range
The dental assistant wage spread in Billings is $23,516 ( 59.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,492, experienced hygienists can earn up to $63,008.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,890
2025 BLS Actual
$38,290
2026 Current Est.
$39,492
2019–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,732 | Projected |
Entry-level dental assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 37.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,890 in 2019 to $38,290 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,732. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new dental assisting graduates. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov