Dental Assistant Salary in Lewiston, ID: $48,847 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Lewiston, ID earns a median $48,847/year (≈ $23.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $53,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lewiston, Idaho, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $48,847 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest earning approximately $38,770 while the highest makes around $63,029. This data is based on the latest estimates from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The potential for salary increases exists, especially for dental assistants working in specialized areas such as oral surgery and orthodontics, which typically command higher pay due to the advanced skill sets required. The local job market reflects a demand for approximately 100 dental assistants, making this profession a viable option in Lewiston’s growing healthcare community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,847 | $23.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,544 | $30.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,029 | $30.30 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,259 (2026 est.). At $48,847, the local median is 1.48% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $48,847/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $47,609 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.48% less |
Dental Assistants in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $48,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.60% above the Idaho state average of $47,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 8.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,847 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,584 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,100
2025 BLS Actual
$47,360
2026 Current Est.
$48,847
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,847 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 27.7% from $37,100 (2019) to $47,360 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,281 (35.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $38,770 – $46,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,980 – $48,847 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,847 – $62,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,544 – $63,029 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Lewiston
Examining the local job market reveals nuanced factors that affect dental assistant pay in Lewiston, ID. With a cost-of-living index of 91.16, the purchasing power for dental assistants is relatively robust, suggesting that even salaries below the national average still provide decent living conditions. General dental practices typically pay less than specialized fields such as oral surgery and orthodontics, while DSO chains often offer structured pay scales that standardize compensation across locations. Specialty certifications, such as the EFDA, can elevate earning potential significantly, as can positions that blend duties with treatment coordination. To maximize earnings, aspiring dental assistants in Lewiston should consider pursuing further specialization, gaining certification through DANB, and exploring positions in thriving dental chains. Those who take initiative in professional development will find themselves well-positioned in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Lewiston, 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 $47,360 for dental assistantsin the Lewiston 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