Dental Assistant Salary in Post Falls, ID: $45,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Post Falls, ID earns a median $45,782/year (≈ $22.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Post Falls's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $48,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Post Falls, Idaho, can expect a median annual salary of $45,782, slightly below the national average of $49,579. The local salary range is projected to be between $37,831 at the 10th percentile and $57,888 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant income variation likely influenced by specialty practices. Factors such as working in oral surgery or orthodontics can result in higher compensation, reflecting the demand for skilled assistance in these specialized fields. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, providing an accurate reflection of the local market conditions in Post Falls.
About the Post Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,831 | $18.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,545 | $20.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,782 | $22.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,201 | $25.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,888 | $27.83 |
Median Salary Position
7.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Post Falls
In Post Falls, ID, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,057 (2026 est.). At $45,782, the local median is 7.66% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Post Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Post Falls Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Post Falls median: $45,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Post Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $47,640 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -7.66% less |
Dental Assistants in Post Falls, ID earn a median of $45,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.66% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.90% below the Idaho state average of $47,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Post Falls 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.
Post Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $45,782 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,010
2025 BLS Actual
$44,388
2026 Current Est.
$45,782
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Post Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,387 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,975 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Post Falls metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,010 (2019) to $44,388 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,209 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Post 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) | $37,831 – $43,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,545 – $45,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,782 – $53,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,201 – $57,888 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Post Falls
In Post Falls, there are currently nine dental assistants employed, suggesting a tight-knit job market that may offer limited but focused opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the various employers, dental assistants may find the highest pay rates within specialized practices such as orthodontics and oral surgery, with general practices following closely behind. The salary disparity is driven by factors including specialty roles, expanded function authority (EFDA) credentialing, and hybrid positions such as treatment coordinators. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Post Falls, pursuing EFDA certification and seeking positions at DSOs, which often have structured pay scales, can be beneficial strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Post 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 $44,388 for dental assistantsin the Post 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
Salary data for Post Falls 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