Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $23.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in South Bend, IN runs $23.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,270 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,554 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental assistants in South Bend, IN, can expect a median hourly rate of $23.68 in 2026, which closely aligns with the national median of $23.84. This wage is favorable for part-time workers, such as those who might work three days a week, as well as per-diem employees who take on temporary shifts in various settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and specialty practices like oral surgery and orthodontics. The hourly range for dental assistants in South Bend spans from $18.01 at the entry-level to $31.08 for those at the top of their field, reflecting a well-structured pay scale that accommodates various levels of experience and technical skill in the profession.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.30 | $178.39 |
| Median (P50) | $23.68 | $189.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.25 | $226.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.08 | $248.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $23.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.68/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $49,256 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,417. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $947.24 | $4,105 | $49,256 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.34 | $2,463 | $29,554 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.90 | $1,642 | $19,703 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (South Bend) | $23.68 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $49,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.00% below the Indiana state average of $49,768.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.68/hr = $29,554/year (purchasing power: $31,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,256/year (purchasing power: $53,045).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in South Bend grew 20.4% from $19.07/hr (2019) to $22.96/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.42/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
Considering part-time schedules, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week would earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, which could lead to a net income that varies widely depending on hours worked. For per-diem labor, which is common in the field, many dental assistants bill between $22 and $35 per hour for general roles, while specialized positions in oral surgery or orthodontics can reach rates of $28 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can also vary depending on the employer type—general practices, pediatric offices, and specialty clinics like periodontics each have their unique pay scales. While some dental assistants may choose slightly lower pay for the sake of job benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly wages at the expense of things like health insurance. In South Bend, negotiating an hourly rate can be advantageous for those equipped with specific skills or certifications, enhancing their appeal to employers navigating the competitive landscape of dental services driven by chains and changing patient care models.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in South Bend in 2026?
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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 South Bend. 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