Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Jackson, MI: $22.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Jackson, MI runs $22.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,970 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,189 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
At $22.59 per hour, dental assistants in Jackson, Michigan, earn slightly less than the national median of $23.84 per hour. This hourly wage reflects the local pay landscape, particularly for professionals working in general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or orthodontic practices. Part-time and per-diem positions allow for flexibility, with many dental assistants choosing to work three days a week. For these workers, even at a part-time commitment, the hourly pay enables a stable income while accommodating diverse scheduling needs. Entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $19.05 per hour, while experienced professionals may command rates as high as $28.75, making it a financially viable career choice for many in the Jackson area. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this variability in pay indicates a growing field with opportunities at various levels of expertise.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.28 | $178.23 |
| Median (P50) | $22.59 | $180.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.15 | $209.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.75 | $229.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $22.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.59/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, MI can expect to earn approximately $46,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,105. With a cost-of-living index of 91.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $903.51 | $3,915 | $46,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $542.10 | $2,349 | $28,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.40 | $1,566 | $18,793 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Jackson) | $22.59 |
| 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 Jackson, MI earn a median of $46,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.26% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.90% below the Michigan state average of $48,373.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.59/hr = $28,189/year (purchasing power: $30,714).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,982/year (purchasing power: $51,191).
CoL index: 91.779 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Jackson grew 16.7% from $18.76/hr (2019) to $21.90/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.30/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Delving deeper into the earning potential of part-time dental assistants reveals a contrasting picture when compared to full-time workers. Those opting for a three-day, full-time schedule could accumulate approximately $35,000 annually, while their full-time counterparts would exceed that significantly. For per-diem dental assistants, the compensation varies greatly, as rates typically range from $22 to $35 per hour, increasing to between $28 and $45 per hour in specialized roles like oral surgery or orthodontics. Dental assistants working in diverse employer types, such as solo practices or larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, often experience differences in hourly rates and benefits. This variation highlights the trade-offs many face: some may choose lower hourly wages for positions that offer health insurance, while others lean toward higher pay without benefits. Practical negotiation tips in Jackson suggest that articulating one’s specialized skills or certifications, especially if holding credentials like DANB or expanded function authority, can significantly impact hourly pay negotiations.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Jackson in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Jackson?
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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 Jackson. 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