Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Lehi, UT: $17.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Lehi, UT runs $17.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Lehi's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,191 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Lehi, UT, can expect a median hourly pay of $17.78, which is significantly lower than the national median of $23.84. This wage reflects the local market's characteristics and can influence both part-time and per-diem opportunities. For those working part-time, typically three days a week, a dental assistant may take home a substantial income without the full-time commitment. The hourly wage range for dental assistants in Lehi varies from $13.92 at the entry-level to $22.74 for those at the top of their profession, allowing flexibility in earnings based on experience and employer type. Employees can find themselves in diverse settings such as general dental practices, pediatric exam rooms, or specialty clinics, each offering different hourly rates based on specific job responsibilities and patient demographics.
About the Lehi Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.92 | $111.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.04 | $128.31 |
| Median (P50) | $17.78 | $142.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.43 | $171.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.74 | $181.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lehi
Based on $17.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.78/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lehi, UT can expect to earn approximately $36,985 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,338. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lehi.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lehi
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $711.25 | $3,082 | $36,985 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $426.75 | $1,849 | $22,191 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $284.50 | $1,233 | $14,794 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Lehi) | $17.78 |
| 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 Lehi, UT earn a median of $36,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.41% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.00% below the Utah state average of $37,733.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.78/hr = $22,191/year (purchasing power: $22,621).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,985/year (purchasing power: $37,702).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lehi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Lehi grew 19.9% from $14.37/hr (2019) to $17.24/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.34/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 Lehi 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 Lehi
Exploring the financial realities of part-time work as a dental assistant reveals differences compared to full-time positions. For a part-time assistant working 24 hours a week, the annual income may come out significantly lower than that of their full-time counterparts. Per diem dental assistants in Lehi often see earnings between $22 to $35 per hour, depending on the demand for temporary roles, with specialized areas like oral surgery and orthodontics commanding an even higher per diem, ranging from $28 to $45 per hour. The range of pay among different employer types illustrates the competitive nature of the job market in Lehi; general practices may offer coverage and benefits, while dental_service companies (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen Dental standardize pay scales across their locations. Candidates should consider their personal financial needs and the benefits offered when negotiating their hourly wage, especially in a city where the cost of living is below the national average, yielding numerous opportunities for career advancement through state-specific credentialing programs such as those offered by DANB and ADAA.
More salary data for Lehi, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Lehi in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Lehi?
Are dental assistants in Lehi paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Lehi?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Lehi?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 Lehi. 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 Lehi 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