Dental Assistant Salary in Richmond, IN: $48,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Richmond, IN earns a median $48,444/year (≈ $23.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $53,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, Indiana, the projected dental assistant salary for 2026 is estimated at $48,444, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. This figure reflects the medical realities of working in a market characterized by both solo practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that have standardized pay scales. The salary for dental assistants in the area ranges from $36,815 at the 10th percentile to $59,427 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential variations based on factors such as the type of practice, experience, and credentialing. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data combined with regional pricing adjustments indicate that dental assistants in Richmond can expect competitive pay within the broader context of Indiana, as the employment landscape continues to evolve with the growing presence of DSOs.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,815 | $17.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,804 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,444 | $23.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,999 | $27.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,427 | $28.57 |
Median Salary Position
2.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, IN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,612 (2026 est.). At $48,444, the local median is 2.29% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $48,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $49,788 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.29% less |
Dental Assistants in Richmond, IN earn a median of $48,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.29% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $49,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,444 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,162
2025 BLS Actual
$46,969
2026 Current Est.
$48,444
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,237 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,793 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,474 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,316 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,965 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,162 (2019) to $46,969 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,965 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,803 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $36,815 – $46,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,804 – $48,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,444 – $56,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,999 – $59,427 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Richmond
With only seven dental assistants currently employed in Richmond, the local job market for this profession is modest but stable. The cost of living index here stands at 91.3, suggesting a lower expense burden compared to the national average, which can positively influence take-home pay. Dental assistants working at DSOs like Heartland and Aspen may have access to the highest compensation, as these chains often offer robust salary packages and benefits. The pay scale disparity reflects factors such as specialization, with orthodontic and oral surgery practices generally providing higher wages than general dentistry. Additionally, those with expanded function credentials or who take on hybrid roles as treatment coordinators can see significant rewards. To maximize earnings in Richmond, dental assistants are advised to pursue continuing education, specialization opportunities, and potential certifications through recognized pathways like DANB or ADAA to enhance their competitive edge in the job market.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Richmond, IN in 2026?
Is Richmond, IN a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Richmond?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Richmond?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $46,969 for dental assistantsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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