Dental Assistant Salary in Wheat Ridge, CO: $47,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Wheat Ridge, CO earns a median $47,716/year (≈ $22.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Wheat Ridge's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $45,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $47,716, which is slightly lower than the national average of $49,579 for the same year. Compensation in this area can be quite variable, with salaries ranging from $39,511 at the 10th percentile to $60,430 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and take into account regional cost adjustments. The job market in Wheat Ridge demonstrates a mix of opportunities, stemming primarily from both DSO chains and independent practices, with each offering differing pay scales and employee flexibility as part of their compensation strategies. As the trend toward consolidation continues, understanding these distinctions becomes critical for job seekers.
About the Wheat Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,511 | $19.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,445 | $21.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,716 | $22.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,297 | $27.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,430 | $29.05 |
Median Salary Position
3.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheat Ridge
In Wheat Ridge, CO, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,919 (2026 est.). At $47,716, the local median is 3.76% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheat Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheat Ridge Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Wheat Ridge median: $47,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheat Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $49,600 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.76% less |
Dental Assistants in Wheat Ridge, CO earn a median of $47,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.76% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.80% below the Colorado state average of $49,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheat Ridge has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheat Ridge, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,716 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,444 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,573
2025 BLS Actual
$46,263
2026 Current Est.
$47,716
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wheat Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,573 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,632 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,207 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheat Ridge metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,573 (2019) to $46,263 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,641 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheat Ridge 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) | $39,511 – $45,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,445 – $47,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,716 – $57,297 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,297 – $60,430 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Wheat Ridge
Currently, there are eight dental assistants employed in Wheat Ridge, indicating a relatively small but stable job market for this occupation. The cost of living index in Wheat Ridge stands at 105, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power of these paychecks must be taken into account. In Wheat Ridge, general dental practices and DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced certifications like the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA). Various factors contribute to the salary spread among dental assistants, such as specialization in oral surgery or orthodontics, the hybrid roles of treatment coordinators, and the tiered pay structures that DSO chains typically implement. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Wheat Ridge, pursuing relevant certifications and seeking positions within specialty offices can prove beneficial in an evolving workplace.
More salary data for Wheat Ridge, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Wheat Ridge?
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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 $46,263 for dental assistantsin the Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge 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