Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Bossier City, LA: $19.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Bossier City, LA runs $19.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Bossier City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,723 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bossier City, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $19.01, which is significantly lower than the national median of $23.84. This discrepancy may impact part-time workers who typically operate on three-day schedules, averaging 24 hours a week, as well as per-diem employees seeking flexibility in various dental settings. For instance, part-time dental assistants can expect to take home around $25,000 annually after taxes, which could be challenging near the city's cost of living index of 90.3. The hourly wage range in Bossier City varies from entry-level positions at approximately $15.01 to top earners making over $25.17, reflecting the various responsibilities and the demand for skills across general dentistry, orthodontic and pediatric practices, and surgical suites.
About the Bossier City Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.01 | $120.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.65 | $141.18 |
| Median (P50) | $19.01 | $152.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.42 | $187.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.17 | $201.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bossier City
Based on $19.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.01/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bossier City, LA can expect to earn approximately $39,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,810. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bossier City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bossier City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $760.35 | $3,295 | $39,538 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $456.21 | $1,977 | $23,723 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $304.14 | $1,318 | $15,815 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Bossier City) | $19.01 |
| 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 Bossier City, LA earn a median of $39,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.26% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 13.00% below the Louisiana state average of $45,442.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.01/hr = $23,723/year (purchasing power: $26,271).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,538/year (purchasing power: $43,785).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Bossier City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Bossier City grew 19.9% from $15.37/hr (2019) to $18.43/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.61/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 Bossier City 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 Bossier City
Part-time dental assistants enjoy their work flexibility but face trade-offs concerning annual earnings compared to full-time positions. Typically, part-time workers earn about $36,000 annually when working closely to 24 hours a week, a lower figure than full-timers pulling in around $40,000. For those considering per-diem opportunities in Bossier City, the compensation can be attractive; per diem dental assistants commonly bill between $22 and $35 per hour, while specialty shifts in oral surgery or orthodontics can demand $28 to $45. The hourly salaries can fluctuate based on the type of employer. For instance, positions in dental service organizations like Heartland or Aspen typically follow scale pay, which can be lower, while specialty practices may offer higher rates. Some dental assistants may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, which is crucial in this profession. When negotiating, it's beneficial to emphasize certification and experience, as well as considering the stability of employment against the potential for varied hourly rates.
More salary data for Bossier City, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Bossier City in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Bossier City?
Are dental assistants in Bossier City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Bossier City?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Bossier City?
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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 Bossier City. 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 Bossier City 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