Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Rochester Hills, MI: $23.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Rochester Hills, MI runs $23.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Rochester Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,846 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Rochester Hills, Michigan, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $23.11 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $23.84. This wage is beneficial for both full-time and part-time workers, as a part-time dental assistant working 24 hours a week would bring home about $27,000 annually, while full-time positions typically offer more consistent hours and salaries. Per-diem workers in this field have the flexibility to work in various settings, such as general dentistry operatories or specialized orthodontic practices, where entry-level pay starts at approximately $17.14 per hour and can go up to $30.65 for those in high-demand roles or with significant experience. These hourly rates reflect estimated data derived from anticipated annual salaries, providing a solid framework for understanding the pay scale within the profession.
About the Rochester Hills 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) | $17.14 | $137.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.00 | $176.00 |
| Median (P50) | $23.11 | $184.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.54 | $228.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.65 | $245.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester Hills
Based on $23.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.11/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester Hills, MI can expect to earn approximately $48,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,736. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $924.55 | $4,006 | $48,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $554.73 | $2,404 | $28,846 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $369.82 | $1,603 | $19,231 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Rochester Hills) | $23.11 |
| 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 Rochester Hills, MI earn a median of $48,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.05% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $48,360.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.11/hr = $28,846/year (purchasing power: $30,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,076/year (purchasing power: $51,584).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rochester Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Rochester Hills grew 19.9% from $18.69/hr (2019) to $22.41/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.84/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 Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills
There’s a distinct earning potential landscape for dental assistants that comes with choosing part-time or per-diem work in Rochester Hills. For those working just three days a week, they might find their take-home income significantly impacted when compared to full-time employment, with varying annual income depending on the number of days and shifts they manage. Per diem opportunities can offer a lucrative range, with dental assistants billing between $22-$35 per hour for general roles, while specialty positions in orthodontics or oral surgery can reach $28-$45 per hour. The type of employer also plays a notable role in determining hourly pay; for instance, general dental practices might pay less compared to specialized or large dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen, which often standardize their pay scales. Additionally, there’s a trade-off between taking higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that may come with health insurance. For those pursuing roles in the profession, savvy negotiation can lead to better pay, especially in a competitive market influenced by market trends and staffing agencies like Cloud Dentistry that provide flexible shift work.
More salary data for Rochester Hills, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Rochester Hills in 2026?
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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 Rochester Hills. 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 Rochester Hills 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