Dental Assistant Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $49,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $49,590/year (≈ $23.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $49,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Fort Collins, Colorado can expect to earn a median annual salary of $49,590, which shows a slight increase compared to the national median of $49,579, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The salary range for this role spans from $41,204 at the 10th percentile to $61,327 at the 90th percentile. This data indicates that while many dental assistants earn close to the median, those working in specialized fields such as orthodontics and oral surgery often see higher pay, reflecting the premium associated with these specialties. The competitive job market in Fort Collins, with 510 dental assistants employed, suggests a robust opportunity for professionals looking to advance their careers in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,204 | $19.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,691 | $21.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,624 | $27.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,327 | $29.49 |
Median Salary Position
0.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,123 (2026 est.). At $49,590, the local median is 0.02% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $49,590/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.02% more |
Dental Assistants in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $49,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% higher than the national median of $49,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,590 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,037 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,280
2025 BLS Actual
$48,080
2026 Current Est.
$49,590
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 16.5% from $41,280 (2019) to $48,080 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,867 (23.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $41,204 – $45,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,691 – $49,590 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,590 – $56,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,624 – $61,327 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Fort Collins
The cost of living index in Fort Collins sits at 101.128, slightly above the national average, which highlights the importance of take-home pay for dental assistants in the area. Generally, employers in orthodontic and oral surgery practices tend to offer the highest salaries compared to general dental practices, pediatric offices, or dental school clinics. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include specialization, additional certifications like the EFDA for expanded functions, and roles that blend duties, such as treatment coordinators. For those aiming to maximize their dental assistant pay in Fort Collins, pursuing EFDA credentials, gaining experience in specialty practices, and seeking positions at DSO chains, which typically have standardized pay scales, can be effective strategies. Understanding the local market dynamics and aligning skills with high-demand specialties will better position dental assistants for increased earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
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
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 $48,080 for dental assistantsin the Fort Collins 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
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