Dental Assistant Salary in Mountain Home, ID: $44,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Mountain Home, ID earns a median $44,910/year (≈ $21.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Mountain Home's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $47,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountain Home, Idaho, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $44,910 in 2026. This figure represents a slight decrease from the national median of $49,579, reflecting the impact of local economic conditions and employment dynamics within the region's dental practices. The salary for dental assistants in this area varies significantly, ranging from $35,207 at the lower tenth percentile to $56,057 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, shed light on a job market shaped by the balance of solo practices and larger dental service organizations (DSOs) that typically offer standardized pay scales. As Mountain Home continues to develop its healthcare sectors, understanding these salary trends offers a crucial insight into local employment opportunities.
About the Mountain Home Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,207 | $16.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,068 | $21.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,670 | $25.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,057 | $26.95 |
Median Salary Position
9.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountain Home
In Mountain Home, ID, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,850 (2026 est.). At $44,910, the local median is 9.42% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountain Home: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mountain Home Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Mountain Home median: $44,910/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountain Home Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $47,625 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -9.42% less |
Dental Assistants in Mountain Home, ID earn a median of $44,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.42% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.70% below the Idaho state average of $47,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountain Home 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.
Mountain Home, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,910 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,305
2025 BLS Actual
$43,543
2026 Current Est.
$44,910
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mountain Home (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,599 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,543 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountain Home metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,305 (2019) to $43,543 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,015 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountain Home 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) | $35,207 – $44,068 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,068 – $44,910 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,910 – $53,670 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,670 – $56,057 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Mountain Home
Considering the employment scenario, Mountain Home has a small workforce of four dental assistants, indicating a niche market with potential for personalized growth. The area's cost of living index, which stands at 95.3, suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power for dental assistants tends to be more favorable. General dental practices can often offer competitive salaries, especially those affiliated with DSOs like Heartland or Aspen Dental, which provide structured pay tiers that may enhance job stability. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty training, expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) certifications, and roles that combine treatment coordination with standard assisting duties. For those seeking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Mountain Home, pursuing credentialing through DANB and exploring opportunities within dental chains may prove effective strategies for career advancement.
More salary data for Mountain Home, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental assistants make $100K in Mountain Home?
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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 $43,543 for dental assistantsin the Mountain Home 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 Mountain Home 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