Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Durant, OK: $19.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Durant, OK runs $19.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Durant's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,753 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Durant, Oklahoma, the projected dental assistant hourly pay in 2026 stands at $19.83, which is noticeably lower when compared to the national hourly median of $23.84. This discrepancy represents the local economic conditions and can significantly impact those working part-time or as per-diem employees. For instance, a dental assistant working three days a week could earn roughly $18,000 annually, which might be a challenging income in the current cost-of-living environment. Furthermore, the hourly rates indicate a spectrum ranging from $17.09 for entry-level positions to $24.44 for those in the top 10 percent of earners. Various settings such as general dentistry operatories, orthodontic chair rows, and pediatric dental exam rooms can offer different experiences and wage scales, making it crucial for dental assistants to understand the local job market.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.09 | $136.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.29 | $154.30 |
| Median (P50) | $19.83 | $158.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.84 | $182.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.44 | $195.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durant
Based on $19.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.83/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durant, OK can expect to earn approximately $41,254 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,801. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $793.35 | $3,438 | $41,254 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $476.01 | $2,063 | $24,753 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.34 | $1,375 | $16,502 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Durant) | $19.83 |
| 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 Durant, OK earn a median of $41,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.77% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 6.40% below the Oklahoma state average of $44,086.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.83/hr = $24,753/year (purchasing power: $27,843).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,254/year (purchasing power: $46,405).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Durant grew 19.9% from $16.03/hr (2019) to $19.23/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.46/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 Durant 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 Durant
For those considering a part-time role at 24 hours weekly, earnings are modest and might require supplemental income from alternative arrangements. Per diem dental assistants in Durant could potentially find more lucrative opportunities, with rates billed between $22 and $35 per hour, and even higher in specialized areas such as oral surgery or orthodontics, where pay can reach $28 to $45 per hour. The variations in hourly earnings are reflective of employer types, including private practices, pediatric offices, and larger corporate dental service organizations like Heartland or Pacific Dental, which may standardize pay but also offer benefits that smaller practices often forgo. Dental assistants must carefully weigh the pros and cons of accepting lower rates for positions that include health insurance against the attraction of higher hourly wages without benefits. When negotiating pay, it’s advisable to emphasize skills in expanded functions or specialized areas, given that such qualifications can change value across different employer settings in Durant, OK.
More salary data for Durant, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Durant in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Durant?
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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 Durant. 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 Durant 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