Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $22.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Butte, MT runs $22.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,189 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at $22.59, which is slightly below the national average of $23.84. This means that dental assistants working part-time—say three days a week, which typically amounts to around 24 hours—can expect a weekly income of approximately $542.16 before taxes, which reflects a steady income for those balancing other commitments. For per-diem dental assistants, who offer flexibility in a variety of settings including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or surgical suites, pay rates can range substantially. The hourly pay ranges from $17.21 for entry-level positions to $29.03 for those topping the pay scale, depending on experience and specialization. These figures indicate the broad spectrum of earning potential in Butte, which is essential for understanding what many dental assistants could anticipate in compensation.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.21 | $137.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.28 | $170.22 |
| Median (P50) | $22.59 | $180.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.38 | $219.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.03 | $232.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $22.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.59/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $46,982 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,105. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $903.51 | $3,915 | $46,982 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $542.10 | $2,349 | $28,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.40 | $1,566 | $18,793 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Butte) | $22.59 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $46,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $48,333.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.59/hr = $28,189/year (purchasing power: $29,303).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,982/year (purchasing power: $48,838).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Butte grew 19.9% from $18.26/hr (2019) to $21.90/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.30/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 Butte 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 Butte
The part-time earning potential for a dental assistant working in Butte is markedly different compared to their full-time counterparts. A 24-hour workweek translates to an annual income of about $28,243, whereas a full-time assistant might earn closer to $46,979 annually. For those seeking flexibility or who prefer to work per diem, rates can vary significantly; while many per-diem dental assistants might bill between $22 and $35 per hour, specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can command $28 to $45 an hour. Such variability highlights the differences based on employer type—from general practices and pediatric offices to oral surgery and periodontal specialty clinics. Moreover, many dental assistants face a benefits trade-off; some may choose a lower hourly rate in exchange for employer-sponsored health insurance, while others may gravitate towards higher pay, choosing employment without benefits. Negotiation is key in this environment—dental assistants in Butte should be prepared to discuss their skills and certifications, such as those offered by the DANB or ADAA, to secure better offers, especially in light of the growing influence of DSO chains which standardize compensation across practices.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
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 Butte. 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 Butte 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