Dental Assistant Salary in Idaho Falls, ID: $46,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Idaho Falls, ID earns a median $46,526/year (≈ $22.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Idaho Falls's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $49,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the realm of dental assistant pay in Idaho Falls, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $46,526, which reflects the influence of the state's EFDA expanded function rules. This allows dental assistants with the proper certification to perform a wider array of duties, contributing to higher compensation compared to standard pay rates elsewhere. Salary forecasts indicate a range from $38,626 at the 10th percentile to $60,069 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential variance based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures derive from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight a competitive job market for dental assistants in Idaho Falls, particularly as the local economy and healthcare infrastructure continue to develop.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,626 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,987 | $19.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,526 | $22.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,661 | $22.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,069 | $28.88 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Idaho Falls
In Idaho Falls, ID, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,443 (2026 est.). At $46,526, the local median is 6.16% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Idaho Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Idaho Falls Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Idaho Falls median: $46,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Idaho Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $47,622 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.16% less |
Dental Assistants in Idaho Falls, ID earn a median of $46,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.30% below the Idaho state average of $47,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Idaho Falls has a cost of living 5.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Idaho Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 94.412 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,280 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,410
2025 BLS Actual
$45,110
2026 Current Est.
$46,526
2019–2027 Growth
+43.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Idaho Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho Falls metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 35.0% from $33,410 (2019) to $45,110 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,577 (43.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho Falls 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) | $38,626 – $39,987 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,987 – $46,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,526 – $47,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,661 – $60,069 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Idaho Falls
Boasting around 360 dental assistants currently employed in the area, the job market in Idaho Falls demonstrates promising growth, underscored by an annual growth rate of 3.14%. With a cost-of-living index at 94.412, living expenses are relatively lower compared to the national average, which aids in making the take-home pay more impactful for local workers. Employers driving higher wages include pediatric and orthodontic practices, as they tend to require specialized training and certifications that can command a premium. Additionally, those with EFDA credentials or who take on hybrid roles as treatment coordinators can expect increased pay due to their broader skill sets. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their potential earnings, pursuing further certification or exploring opportunities within DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen, which often offer structured pay scales, could lead to improved compensation in this vibrant Idaho Falls market.
More salary data for Idaho Falls, ID:
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 $45,110 for dental assistantsin the Idaho Falls 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, 6-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