Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in St. Louis, MO runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,773 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, the projected median hourly pay for dental assistants is $23.86, slightly above the national median of $23.84. This rate not only highlights the competitive nature of dental assistant hourly pay in MO but also provides an attractive opportunity for part-time and per-diem workers. For those working three days a week, the hourly pay can translate into manageable earnings while balancing other life commitments. The hourly compensation for dental assistants in St. Louis ranges from $18.73 to $30.01, reflecting the experience and specialized skills of individual workers. This projection, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates a stable future for those in the profession within various settings, including general dentistry operatories and pediatric exam rooms.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.73 | $149.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.88 | $175.01 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.88 | $231.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.01 | $240.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $49,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,628. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.25 | $4,135 | $49,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.55 | $2,481 | $29,773 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.70 | $1,654 | $19,848 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (St. Louis) | $23.86 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $49,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 7.10% above the Missouri state average of $46,341.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,773/year (purchasing power: $31,311).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,621/year (purchasing power: $52,184).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in St. Louis grew 19.0% from $19.43/hr (2019) to $23.13/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.61/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
When considering part-time roles, a dental assistant working 24 hours weekly significantly increases earning potential while maintaining flexibility. Annually, this equates to notable income, especially when many per-diem dental assistants typically charge between $22 and $35 per hour, with certain specialties, including oral surgery and orthodontics, offering rates that can reach $28 to $45 hourly. In St. Louis, hourly rates vary significantly based on the type of dental establishment, from private practices to large DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen. This variation can influence job satisfaction, as some professionals may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer the higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate in St. Louis, focusing on experience, relevant certifications such as DANB, and specific job demands is essential for achieving fair compensation in a competitive job market.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in St. Louis 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 St. Louis. 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