Dental Assistant Salary in Lawrence, IN: $47,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Lawrence, IN earns a median $47,625/year (≈ $22.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $52,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Lawrence, Indiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,625 in 2026, which reflects a modest decrease of 3.94% compared to the national median salary of $49,579. This salary falls within a range from $38,989 at the 10th percentile up to $61,476 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost variances, highlighting the specific earnings potential for dental assistants in this local market. Notably, employment within larger dental service organizations (DSOs) may provide more standardized pay scales, while solo practices could offer greater flexibility, but potentially less predictable earnings.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,989 | $18.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,028 | $21.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,625 | $22.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,896 | $27.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,476 | $29.56 |
Median Salary Position
3.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, IN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,487 (2026 est.). At $47,625, the local median is 3.94% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $47,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $49,765 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.94% less |
Dental Assistants in Lawrence, IN earn a median of $47,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.94% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $49,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,500
2025 BLS Actual
$46,175
2026 Current Est.
$47,625
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,557 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,705 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,500 (2019) to $46,175 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,620 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $38,989 – $45,028 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,028 – $47,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,625 – $57,896 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,896 – $61,476 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Lawrence
In Lawrence, there are currently 10 dental assistants employed, which indicates a small but stable job market for this role. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 91.3, dental assistants may find that their take-home pay stretches further compared to more expensive regions. Among local employers, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer competitive compensation compared to general practices. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty, the potential for expanded functions for DAs, and roles that combine treatment coordination with assistant duties. To maximize earning potential in Lawrence, gaining certifications such as those from DANB or pursuing pathways towards expanded function authority can greatly enhance job prospects and salary negotiations.
More salary data for Lawrence, IN:
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 $46,175 for dental assistantsin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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