Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Peters, MO: $22.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in St. Peters, MO runs $22.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,952 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against St. Peters's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,177 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Peters, Missouri, the projected dental assistant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $22.58, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This rate reflects the average earnings for those working in diverse environments such as general dentistry offices, pediatric practices, and specialized surgical centers. The hourly compensation range for dental assistants in this locality varies from $17.46 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $28.63 for the most experienced (90th percentile), making it an appealing option for both full-time and part-time workers. Part-time dental assistants, particularly those who may work three days a week, can still earn a meaningful income, while per-diem workers can find even more flexibility and variation in their schedules.
About the St. Peters Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.46 | $139.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.67 | $165.35 |
| Median (P50) | $22.58 | $180.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.51 | $220.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.63 | $229.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Peters
Based on $22.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.58/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Peters, MO can expect to earn approximately $46,961 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,093. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Peters.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Peters
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $903.09 | $3,913 | $46,961 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $541.86 | $2,348 | $28,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.24 | $1,565 | $18,784 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (St. Peters) | $22.58 |
| 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. Peters, MO earn a median of $46,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% above the Missouri state average of $46,350.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.58/hr = $28,177/year (purchasing power: $31,447).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,961/year (purchasing power: $52,412).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in St. Peters (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in St. Peters grew 19.9% from $18.25/hr (2019) to $21.89/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.29/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. Peters 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. Peters
For dental assistants employed part-time at 24 hours a week, annual earnings, including benefits, can significantly differ compared to full-time positions. Per-diem dental assistant pay in St. Peters typically falls between $22 and $35 per hour, with those in specialized roles like oral surgery or orthodontics commanding $28 to $45 per hour. Various employer types, including individual practices and larger dental support organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, further affect wage structures. Some dental assistants may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, whereas others might pursue higher hourly pay without the safety net of employer-sponsored benefits. When negotiating pay, understanding local market trends and being aware of the variances offered by different dental practices can empower dental assistants to advocate effectively for themselves in the evolving employment landscape of St. Peters, MO.
More salary data for St. Peters, MO:
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 St. Peters. 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 St. Peters 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