Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Kenner, LA: $21.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Kenner, LA runs $21.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,498 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Kenner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,696 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Kenner, Louisiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $21.39, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate significantly influences part-time and per-diem workers, common in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. For example, a dental assistant working three days a week could earn approximately $1,027 weekly based on this hourly rate, while entry-level positions might start as low as $17.10, allowing for a gradual increase up to the upper echelon earning $28.61 per hour in more specialized roles. This range reflects the diverse landscape of dental practices in Kenner, where assistants' pay can vary widely depending on the specialization and employer type.
About the Kenner 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) | $17.10 | $136.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.01 | $160.07 |
| Median (P50) | $21.39 | $171.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.50 | $211.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.61 | $228.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenner
Based on $21.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.39/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenner, LA can expect to earn approximately $44,494 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,669. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kenner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $855.65 | $3,708 | $44,494 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $513.39 | $2,225 | $26,696 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $342.26 | $1,483 | $17,798 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Kenner) | $21.39 |
| 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 Kenner, LA earn a median of $44,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.25% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.00% below the Louisiana state average of $45,406.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.39/hr = $26,696/year (purchasing power: $29,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,494/year (purchasing power: $49,273).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kenner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Kenner grew 19.9% from $17.29/hr (2019) to $20.74/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.06/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 Kenner 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 Kenner
Part-time dental assistants working 24 hours a week typically bring home around $53,141 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts but still a viable choice for those needing flexible schedules. Per diem dental assistants often command higher hourly rates ranging from $22 to $35, especially in specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics, where even rates can reach between $28 and $45 per hour. Hiring trends in Kenner show that larger DSO chains such as Heartland and Pacific Dental may standardize pay scales, affecting how individual practices compensate their employees. Some assistants may prefer slightly lower hourly payments if those rates include benefits like health insurance, illustrating a crucial trade-off. For those looking to negotiate their pay in Kenner, emphasizing specialized skills, certifications such as DANB, and the demand for expanded function authority can provide leverage in discussions, ultimately impacting their dental assistant hourly pay in LA.
More salary data for Kenner, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Kenner in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Kenner?
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How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Kenner?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Kenner?
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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 Kenner. 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 Kenner 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