Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $21.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Jefferson City, MO runs $21.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,474 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,288 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jefferson City, Missouri, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $21.87, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate can significantly impact part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, who typically clock about 24 hours. Given this hourly framework, that could translate to a surprisingly stable income from varied settings, like general dentistry operatories, orthodontic practices, and pediatric dental specialty offices. The hourly wage spans from $18.21 for entry-level positions to as high as $27.92 for top earners, illustrating a wide earning potential across different stages in one's career. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, showcasing the financial landscape for dental assistants working in Jefferson City.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.21 | $145.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.00 | $151.99 |
| Median (P50) | $21.87 | $174.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.31 | $186.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.92 | $223.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $21.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.87/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $45,481 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,239. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $874.63 | $3,790 | $45,481 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $524.78 | $2,274 | $27,288 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $349.85 | $1,516 | $18,192 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Jefferson City) | $21.87 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $45,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.28% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% below the Missouri state average of $46,355.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.87/hr = $27,288/year (purchasing power: $31,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,481/year (purchasing power: $51,697).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Jefferson City grew 7.0% from $19.82/hr (2019) to $21.20/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.55/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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson City
Across various employment types, the financial outlook for dental assistants in Jefferson City can change dramatically. A part-time dental assistant working three days per week may take home an annual income In stark contrast, those opting for per-diem work can bill between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics reaching $28 to $45 per hour. Temp agencies like Cloud Dentistry offer flexible fill-in shifts, providing opportunities for those who prefer short-term work. Furthermore, pay rates can fluctuate based on the employer type; for instance, general practices often offer varying compensation compared to DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, which have standardized pay scales across their locations. Some dental assistants may choose lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits while others aim for higher pay without additional perks. When negotiating pay, consider the specifics of each practice's offerings and be prepared to advocate for compensation that reflects your skills and the local market dynamics in Jefferson City.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Jefferson City 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 Jefferson 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
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