Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in West Fargo, ND: $21.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in West Fargo, ND runs $21.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,827 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against West Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,902 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Fargo, North Dakota, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $21.56, which falls below the national median of $23.84. This hourly wage provides a decent standard of living in the area, especially for part-time workers. Those employed three days a week (around 24 hours total) can still make a substantial income that can fluctuate between $16.80 for entry-level positions and $28.12 for those with extensive experience or specialized skills. The hourly pay reflects broader trends in dentistry, where professionals typically work in various settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, orthodontic practices, and surgical suites, all of which can influence the pay scale.
About the West Fargo Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.80 | $134.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.77 | $158.18 |
| Median (P50) | $21.56 | $172.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.16 | $201.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.12 | $224.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Fargo
Based on $21.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.56/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $44,837 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,868. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $862.25 | $3,736 | $44,837 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $517.35 | $2,242 | $26,902 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.90 | $1,495 | $17,935 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (West Fargo) | $21.56 |
| 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 West Fargo, ND earn a median of $44,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.70% below the North Dakota state average of $45,602.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.56/hr = $26,902/year (purchasing power: $29,242).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,837/year (purchasing power: $48,736).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in West Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in West Fargo grew 19.9% from $17.43/hr (2019) to $20.90/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.23/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 West Fargo 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 West Fargo
Considering part-time work, a dental assistant in West Fargo working 24 hours per week would earn about $26,898 annually. In contrast, full-time positions can yield significantly higher earnings, but many in the profession opt for per-diem roles, which may provide more flexibility. Per diem dental assistant pay in West Fargo ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, while those in specialties like oral surgery or orthodontics could earn upwards of $28 to $45 per hour, depending on the complexity of the work and the specific dental office. Agencies often facilitate these roles, allowing assistants to select shifts as needed. Furthermore, hourly rates can be influenced by employer type, with larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen often offering lower pay rates compared to private practices that provide benefits. When negotiating, dental assistants should weigh the value of health insurance and job security against the possibility of higher hourly rates without benefits, ensuring their compensation aligns with their career goals and lifestyle needs in West Fargo, ND.
More salary data for West Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in West Fargo in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in West Fargo?
Are dental assistants in West Fargo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in West Fargo?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in West Fargo?
Related Pages
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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 West Fargo. 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 West Fargo 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