Dental Assistant Salary in Pueblo, CO: $47,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Pueblo, CO earns a median $47,145/year (≈ $22.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Pueblo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $51,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, the expected earnings for dental assistants reflect both market dynamics and the growing influence of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) in the area. The projected median annual salary is $47,145, which places it slightly below the national median of $49,579. Within the local salary range, dental assistants can anticipate earning as low as $39,348 or up to $59,728, depending on their experience and the type of practice they work in. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reveals how the competitive landscape in Pueblo—characterized by both DSO chains and independent practices—affects pay scales and opportunities for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,348 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,195 | $21.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,145 | $22.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,332 | $23.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,728 | $28.71 |
Median Salary Position
4.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pueblo
In Pueblo, CO, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,380 (2026 est.). At $47,145, the local median is 4.91% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pueblo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pueblo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Pueblo median: $47,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pueblo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $49,574 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.91% less |
Dental Assistants in Pueblo, CO earn a median of $47,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.90% below the Colorado state average of $49,574.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pueblo has a cost of living 8.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pueblo, CO has a cost-of-living index of 91.762 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,145 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,377 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,510
2025 BLS Actual
$45,710
2026 Current Est.
$47,145
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,626 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pueblo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 15.7% from $39,510 (2019) to $45,710 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,116 (23.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo 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) | $39,348 – $44,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,195 – $47,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,145 – $49,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,332 – $59,728 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Pueblo
As of 2026, Pueblo employs approximately 260 dental assistants, reflecting a stable job market despite the city's cost of living index of 91.762, which suggests that living expenses are lower than the national average. This context means that the purchasing power for dental assistants can be relatively favorable, even if salaries lag slightly behind national figures. In terms of pay, larger DSO chains such as Heartland and Aspen typically offer more competitive salaries compared to solo and group practices. However, factors like specialization, such as oral surgery or orthodontics, can further widen the pay gap. Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs), especially in states where such credentials are recognized, can secure higher earnings, reinforcing the importance of pursuing additional qualifications. For those aspiring to maximize their compensation, considering roles that blend responsibilities like treatment coordinating or seeking mentorship opportunities can prove beneficial in the evolving marketplace of Pueblo, CO.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 $45,710 for dental assistantsin the Pueblo 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