Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $20.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Gardner, KS runs $20.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,793 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,074 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, Kansas, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at $20.09, which is significantly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This affected rate reflects the local job market and the cost of living, which is indexed at 90.9, indicating a lower-than-average expense compared to national standards. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this wage translates to a manageable income that can support various lifestyles. Additionally, per-diem roles are quite common in this field, with professionals working in general dental operatories or specialty clinics like orthodontic or oral surgery often earning within a range from $16.99 for entry-level positions to upwards of $25.15 for top earners. Such hourly rates, derived from annual projections, highlight the economic landscape facing dental assistants in Gardner, KS.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.99 | $135.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.31 | $154.46 |
| Median (P50) | $20.09 | $160.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.05 | $192.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.15 | $201.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $20.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.09/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $41,791 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,110. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $803.67 | $3,483 | $41,791 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $482.20 | $2,090 | $25,074 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $321.47 | $1,393 | $16,716 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Gardner) | $20.09 |
| 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 Gardner, KS earn a median of $41,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $45,085.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.09/hr = $25,074/year (purchasing power: $27,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,791/year (purchasing power: $45,974).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Gardner grew 19.9% from $16.24/hr (2019) to $19.48/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.72/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 Gardner 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 Gardner
Examining the earning potential, a part-time dental assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $25,774 annually, a value that contrasts strongly with the financial picture of a full-time position. For per-diem dental assistants, typically billing between $22 to $35 per hour, the flexibility allows for tailored schedules but comes with inherent income instability. Shift assignments from agencies catering to dental practices—like Cloud Dentistry or GoTu—could increase hourly pay, especially for specialized areas, which can reach $28 to $45. Differences in hourly rates across various employer types in Gardner are considerable; dental support roles in larger DSO chains often provide lower pay but come with benefits such as health insurance. On the other hand, independent practices might offer higher hourly rates without additional benefits. Prospective dental assistants should consider negotiating hourly wages while factoring in benefits, as those willing to accept a slightly lower pay can secure health coverage advantages, making smaller pay cuts worthwhile in the chiefly competitive environment of Gardner’s dental care sector.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Gardner in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Gardner?
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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 Gardner. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gardner is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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