Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Elkhart, IN: $26.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Elkhart, IN runs $26.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,489 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Elkhart's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,695 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elkhart, Indiana, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $26.20 in 2026. This figure not only reflects the strong demand for dental assistants in the region but also surpasses the national hourly median of $23.84, representing a notable 9.90% advantage for local professionals. With the hourly rate ranging from $18.49 at the entry level to $35.83 for top earners, those working as dental assistants can find opportunities in various settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric and orthodontic practices, and surgical suites. Part-time and per-diem workers can benefit significantly from this pay structure, allowing them to earn competitive wages while balancing their schedules across three days a week or even filling in on an as-needed basis.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.49 | $147.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.08 | $192.67 |
| Median (P50) | $26.20 | $209.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.91 | $231.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.83 | $286.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elkhart
Based on $26.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.20/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elkhart, IN can expect to earn approximately $54,491 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,437. With a cost-of-living index of 90.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elkhart.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elkhart
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,047.90 | $4,541 | $54,491 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.74 | $2,725 | $32,695 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.16 | $1,816 | $21,796 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Elkhart) | $26.20 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Elkhart, IN earn a median of $54,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.90% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 9.50% above the Indiana state average of $49,762.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.20/hr = $32,695/year (purchasing power: $36,197).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,491/year (purchasing power: $60,328).
CoL index: 90.325 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Elkhart grew 9.0% from $23.30/hr (2019) to $25.40/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elkhart 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Elkhart
Delving into the earning potential for part-time dental assistants in Elkhart reveals that working just three days a week can provide a substantial income. For instance, a dental assistant putting in 24 hours a week can take home about $32,928 annually, compared to a full-time assistant who may earn $54,489 with a standard schedule. The per diem dental assistant pay in Elkhart typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics fetching rates between $28 and $45 per hour. Hourly rates can differ by employer type; dental service organizations (DSOs) may offer standardized pay scales, while independent practitioners might negotiate individually. Hence, dental assistants often face a trade-off between slightly lower hourly wages with benefits and higher rates without health coverage. For those considering employment pathways, honing negotiation skills and adequately understanding local pay scales can significantly impact overall satisfaction and career progression in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Elkhart, IN:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Elkhart. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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