Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Moses Lake, WA: $23.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Moses Lake, WA runs $23.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,291 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Moses Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,580 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, the dental assistant hourly pay is projected to be around $23.70 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This rate offers a competitive income for those working in local dental practices, including general dentistry, pediatric settings, and specialty clinics. For part-time dental assistants working three days a week, this translates into a solid earning potential, especially when considering the flexibility that comes with per-diem roles. Entry-level positions typically start at approximately $19.70 per hour, while more experienced dental assistants can earn as much as $30.08 per hour. These figures underscore the importance of understanding the wide range of financial opportunities available in this field.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.70 | $157.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.64 | $181.11 |
| Median (P50) | $23.70 | $189.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.55 | $228.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.08 | $240.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moses Lake
Based on $23.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.70/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moses Lake, WA can expect to earn approximately $49,299 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,442. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Moses Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moses Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $948.06 | $4,108 | $49,299 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.84 | $2,465 | $29,580 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.23 | $1,643 | $19,720 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Moses Lake) | $23.70 |
| 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 Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $49,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $51,078.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.70/hr = $29,580/year (purchasing power: $27,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,299/year (purchasing power: $45,902).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Moses Lake grew 19.9% from $19.16/hr (2019) to $22.98/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.45/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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
For those contemplating part-time work in this profession, an individual working 24 hours a week at the 2026 median may take home an annual income significantly less than a full-time dental assistant, yet still maintain a comfortable lifestyle in Moses Lake. Per-diem dental assistant pay in Moses Lake typically ranges from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialists in oral surgery or orthodontics often billing between $28 and $45 per hour. Various employers, including solo practices and larger dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental, can offer differing pay scales. While some dental assistants may choose roles with lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without such perks. For those negotiating hourly wages in Moses Lake, emphasizing skills such as expanded function authority or experience can be an effective strategy for improving pay outcomes.
More salary data for Moses Lake, WA:
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 Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake 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