Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $22.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $22.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,702 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,627 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oklahoma City, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $22.94 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate allows for flexibility, particularly for part-time workers who may opt to work three days a week. Typically positioned within various settings, such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and oral surgery suites, these roles can provide a stable income based on hours worked. The hourly wage range for dental assistants in Oklahoma City spans from $18.00 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $29.37 for those at the top of their field, reflecting both experience and specialization. This data, rooted in projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, offers a clear understanding of the expected financial landscape for dental assistants in the area.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.00 | $143.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.31 | $146.46 |
| Median (P50) | $22.94 | $183.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.91 | $191.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.37 | $234.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $22.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.94/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $47,712 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,526. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $917.53 | $3,976 | $47,712 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.52 | $2,386 | $28,627 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.01 | $1,590 | $19,085 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Oklahoma City) | $22.94 |
| 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 Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $47,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.79% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 8.20% above the Oklahoma state average of $44,087.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.94/hr = $28,627/year (purchasing power: $31,664).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,712/year (purchasing power: $52,774).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Oklahoma City grew 22.9% from $18.09/hr (2019) to $22.24/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.66/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Part-time dental assistants in Oklahoma City, working a 24-hour week, have the potential to earn approximately $29,956 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who might earn more substantially. For those entertaining per diem roles, typical rates range from $22 to $35 per hour, depending on the specialty and demand. In particular, per diem positions in oral surgery and orthodontics can command higher rates, at times reaching $28 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly across different types of employers, with general dental practices, pediatric offices, and specialty clinics offering their own pay scales. Some dental assistants may choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits, especially in larger chains like Heartland or Aspen, whereas others might prefer the higher pay of commission-based roles without benefits. To optimize their earning potential, hourly workers should effectively negotiate their pay, leveraging their skills and understanding local market conditions when engaging with potential employers.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City. 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