Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Port Huron, MI: $22.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Port Huron, MI runs $22.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,800 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Port Huron's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,679 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Huron, Michigan, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $22.98 by 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $23.84. For dental assistants working part-time, such as those on a 3-day workweek, this rate translates into a manageable income while juggling their other commitments. The hourly wage varies significantly across the field, with earnings ranging from $18.14 (P10) for entry-level positions to as much as $28.04 (P90) for the most experienced dental assistants. The typical work environments vary widely, from general dentistry operatories to specialized facilities, including pediatric offices and oral surgery rooms, creating different earning potentials based on the specific sector in which a dental assistant operates.
About the Port Huron Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.14 | $145.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.23 | $169.81 |
| Median (P50) | $22.98 | $183.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.49 | $219.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.04 | $224.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Huron
Based on $22.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.98/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Huron, MI can expect to earn approximately $47,798 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,576. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Huron.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Huron
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $919.18 | $3,983 | $47,798 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.51 | $2,390 | $28,679 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.67 | $1,593 | $19,119 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Port Huron) | $22.98 |
| 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 Port Huron, MI earn a median of $47,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $48,381.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.98/hr = $28,679/year (purchasing power: $30,771).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,798/year (purchasing power: $51,285).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Port Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Port Huron grew 19.9% from $18.58/hr (2019) to $22.28/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.70/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 Port Huron 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 Port Huron
For those exploring per diem or temporary work as dental assistants, rates can fluctuate more dramatically, with many billing between $22-$35, and specialty assignments in orthodontics or oral surgery going as high as $28-$45 per hour. A dental assistant working 24 hours a week would find their annual take-home significantly less than that of a full-time peer. Agencies like Cloud Dentistry and GoTu provide short-term positions that offer flexibility but may lack the benefits tied to higher-paying permanent roles within dental groups, such as Heartland or Aspen Dental. While some practitioners may opt for positions with lower hourly pay in order to secure health insurance and other benefits, others may prefer higher hourly rates without those adjunct perks. Negotiating hourly wage in Port Huron requires understanding local competition and being aware of one’s qualifications, such as expanded function authority which can command higher pay in certain practices.
More salary data for Port Huron, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Port Huron. 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 Port Huron 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