Dental Assistant Salary in Terre Haute, IN: $47,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Terre Haute, IN earns a median $47,909/year (≈ $23.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Terre Haute's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.8), that paycheck buys what $54,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Throughout Terre Haute, Indiana, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,909 in 2026, reflecting a modest distinction from the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the region spans from $36,243 at the 10th percentile to $59,460 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This competitive pay in Terre Haute can be partly attributed to the state's EFDA expanded function rules, which allow dental assistants to perform additional tasks — a factor that generally elevates pay compared to positions in states with less comprehensive scopes of practice. Given these dynamics, the Terre Haute market offers a promising environment for dental assistants, particularly as they continue to adapt and evolve alongside local healthcare demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,243 | $17.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,173 | $19.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,909 | $23.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,692 | $23.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,460 | $28.59 |
Median Salary Position
3.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, IN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,217 (2026 est.). At $47,909, the local median is 3.37% below the national median of $49,579.
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At 40 hours/week in Terre Haute: You'd be above the median
How Terre Haute Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Terre Haute median: $47,909/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Terre Haute Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $49,801 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.37% less |
Dental Assistants in Terre Haute, IN earn a median of $47,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.80% below the Indiana state average of $49,801.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Terre Haute has a cost of living 12.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Terre Haute, IN has a cost-of-living index of 87.797 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,909 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,770
2025 BLS Actual
$46,450
2026 Current Est.
$47,909
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Terre Haute (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Terre Haute metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 46.2% from $31,770 (2019) to $46,450 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,643 (55.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Terre Haute 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) | $36,243 – $41,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,173 – $47,909 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,909 – $48,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,692 – $59,460 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Terre Haute
In Terre Haute, where around 110 dental assistants are employed, the cost of living is lower than the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 87.797. This affordability can enhance the take-home purchasing power of dental assistants, even if their pay may trail the national figures. Among potential employers, groups like general dental practices and larger chains such as Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental have been noted to offer competitive compensation, often tied to the current market trends and the skills required. The wage disparity within the profession generally reflects specializations, such as orthodontic and oral surgery practices paying more than general dental settings. To maximize earning potential, dental assistants in Terre Haute should consider pursuing EFDA credentials, seeking roles that integrate tasks such as treatment coordination, and exploring opportunities within DSO chains that frequently provide higher pay scales and additional incentives for skilled professionals.
More salary data for Terre Haute, 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 $46,450 for dental assistantsin the Terre Haute 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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