Dental Assistant Salary in Commerce City, CO: $48,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Commerce City, CO earns a median $48,107/year (≈ $23.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Commerce City's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $45,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Commerce City, Colorado, the 2026 projected median annual salary for dental assistants is $48,107, positioning it just below the national average of $49,579. The salary range reflects a wide variation, with the lowest ten percent earning approximately $37,661 and the highest ten percent reaching up to $61,524. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, highlight the potential for strong earnings for those in specialized roles, particularly in areas like oral surgery and orthodontics, which often command premium pay. The growth rate for dental assistant roles in this region is projected at 3.14%, suggesting a stable market for aspiring professionals looking to enter the field.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,661 | $18.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,427 | $21.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,107 | $23.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,994 | $27.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,524 | $29.58 |
Median Salary Position
2.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
In Commerce City, CO, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,863 (2026 est.). At $48,107, the local median is 2.97% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Commerce City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Commerce City Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Commerce City median: $48,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Commerce City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $49,594 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.97% less |
Dental Assistants in Commerce City, CO earn a median of $48,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.97% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $49,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Commerce City has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Commerce City, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,107 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,816 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,889
2025 BLS Actual
$46,642
2026 Current Est.
$48,107
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,892 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Commerce City metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,889 (2019) to $46,642 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,728 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,661 – $44,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,427 – $48,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,107 – $57,994 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,994 – $61,524 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Commerce City
With 16 dental assistants currently employed in Commerce City, the local job market demonstrates specific areas where higher pay can be found. The cost-of-living index of 105 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which can affect overall purchasing power. Employers such as orthodontic and oral surgery practices tend to offer higher salaries than general dental offices, while pediatric specialty offices can also provide competitive compensation. Factors influencing pay disparities include the type of practice, the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDA), and roles that combine duties, such as treatment coordinators. For those seeking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Commerce City, pursuing additional credentials and leveraging opportunities within DSO chains can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Commerce City, CO in 2026?
Is Commerce City, CO a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Commerce City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Commerce City?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Commerce City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,642 for dental assistantsin the Commerce City metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City 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