Dental Assistant Salary in Moscow, ID: $46,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Moscow, ID earns a median $46,440/year (≈ $22.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Moscow's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $48,730 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average dental assistant salary in Moscow, ID, is set at $46,440, reflecting a 6.33% lower rate than the national median of $49,579. Compensation ranges from $35,635 at the lower end to $59,888 for experienced professionals, showcasing the diversity of earnings based on experience and educational qualifications. Factors influencing dental assistant pay in Moscow include the shift toward dental service organization (DSO) chains, which typically provide standardized pay scales, compared to solo practices that may offer more flexible and potentially lucrative arrangements tailored to individual skill sets. This evolving landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for local dental assistants, particularly as the job market adjusts to the greater presence of these larger corporate entities.
About the Moscow Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,635 | $17.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,147 | $20.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,561 | $27.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,888 | $28.80 |
Median Salary Position
6.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moscow
In Moscow, ID, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,253 (2026 est.). At $46,440, the local median is 6.33% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moscow: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moscow Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Moscow median: $46,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moscow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $47,631 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.33% less |
Dental Assistants in Moscow, ID earn a median of $46,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.33% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.50% below the Idaho state average of $47,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moscow has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moscow, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,440 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,730 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,542
2025 BLS Actual
$45,026
2026 Current Est.
$46,440
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Moscow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,026 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moscow metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,542 (2019) to $45,026 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,356 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moscow 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) | $35,635 – $42,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,147 – $46,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,440 – $56,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,561 – $59,888 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Moscow
Looking at the employment landscape, there are currently six dental assistants working in Moscow, providing a glimpse into the localized job market viability. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, indicating that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the purchasing power can still be reasonable in this community. Dental practices that tend to offer higher wages include those specializing in pediatric, orthodontic, and oral surgery services, highlighting the premium attached to specialized skills. The variation in compensation is affected by factors such as credentialing (e.g., having an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) certification) and the degree of responsibility in roles like dental treatment coordinating. Local dental professionals looking to maximize their earning potential should consider pursuing additional training or certifications, connecting with DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen for stable salaries, or exploring opportunities in specialty practices that often pay at the higher end of the spectrum.
More salary data for Moscow, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $45,026 for dental assistantsin the Moscow 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 Moscow 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