Dental Assistant Salary in Junction City, KS: $42,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Junction City, KS earns a median $42,501/year (≈ $20.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Junction City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $46,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, the average dental assistant salary in 2026 is projected to be $42,501, reflecting a competitive yet nuanced pay scale that varies depending on the practice model. The salary range for dental assistants stretches from $33,514 at the 10th percentile to $52,960 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate distinct earning opportunities between solo practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), with the latter often offering standardized pay scales that may limit flexibility but can provide benefits such as predictable raises and training programs. This environment creates a mixed job market for dental assistants in Junction City, driven largely by varying practice structures and the overarching trend of DSO consolidation.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,514 | $16.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,712 | $20.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,501 | $20.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,861 | $24.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,960 | $25.47 |
Median Salary Position
14.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Junction City
In Junction City, KS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,446 (2026 est.). At $42,501, the local median is 14.28% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Junction City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Junction City Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Junction City median: $42,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Junction City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $45,070 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -14.28% less |
Dental Assistants in Junction City, KS earn a median of $42,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $45,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Junction City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Junction City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $42,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,756 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% 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
$34,358
2025 BLS Actual
$41,207
2026 Current Est.
$42,501
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,358 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,289 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Junction City metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $34,358 (2019) to $41,207 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,477 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Junction City 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) | $33,514 – $41,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,712 – $42,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,501 – $50,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,861 – $52,960 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Junction City
With only six dental assistants currently employed in Junction City, the local job market presents unique characteristics, particularly when considering the cost of living index, which stands at 90.9. This index suggests a lower-than-average cost of living, potentially enhancing purchasing power for dental assistants in the area. Generally, those working for specialty practices in oral surgery or orthodontics tend to earn the highest salaries compared to their counterparts in general or pediatric dentistry. Factors such as expanded function authority, which can lead to higher pay in states that allow it, and the potential for additional earnings through mentor roles or hybrid positions like treatment coordinators can significantly affect a dental assistant's total compensation. To maximize earnings in Junction City, pursuing certification with the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and seeking employment within larger DSO chains could provide considerable advantages, particularly as the industry continues to evolve.
More salary data for Junction City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Junction City, KS in 2026?
Is Junction City, KS a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Junction City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Junction City?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Junction City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $41,207 for dental assistantsin the Junction City 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 Junction City 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