Dental Assistant Salary in Leawood, KS: $43,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Leawood, KS earns a median $43,368/year (≈ $20.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Leawood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $47,710 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) in Leawood, Kansas, benefit from the state's permissive regulations, which can drive their pay above standard dental assistant rates. With a projected median annual salary of $43,368 and a salary range between $35,916 at the 10th percentile and $54,931 at the 90th percentile, dental assistant salary in Leawood reflects a competitive local market influenced by the growing demand for qualified professionals. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, and suggest that those who hold specialized credentials or take on advanced roles may command significantly higher compensation. As the employment landscape evolves, particularly with the growth of dental service organizations (DSOs) and the move towards specialty practices, Leawood’s job market presents opportunities that merit further exploration.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,916 | $17.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,344 | $19.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,368 | $20.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,082 | $25.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,931 | $26.41 |
Median Salary Position
12.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
In Leawood, KS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,015 (2026 est.). At $43,368, the local median is 12.53% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leawood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leawood Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Leawood median: $43,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leawood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $45,081 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.53% less |
Dental Assistants in Leawood, KS earn a median of $43,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $45,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leawood 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.
Leawood, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,710 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,059
2025 BLS Actual
$42,048
2026 Current Est.
$43,368
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,021 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,205 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,048 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leawood metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,059 (2019) to $42,048 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,671 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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) | $35,916 – $40,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,344 – $43,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,368 – $52,082 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,082 – $54,931 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Leawood
In terms of local employment statistics, Leawood has five dental assistants currently working, indicating a niche but potentially stable job market that may expand with rising demand. The cost of living index in Leawood stands at 90.9, meaning that while salaries may be slightly below the national median, the local purchasing power remains favorable compared to many urban areas. General dental practices typically offer the most competitive salaries, but those in specialized fields such as oral surgery or orthodontics often see higher pay. The variance within the salary spectrum can be attributed to factors such as the demand for EFDAs, varying roles including treatment coordinators, and pay scales set by DSOs like Heartland or Aspen Dental. To maximize pay in this area, aspiring dental assistants should consider obtaining EFDA credentials and exploring career pathways that include continuing education or certifications offered by the DANB and ADAA.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
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 $42,048 for dental assistantsin the Leawood 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 Leawood 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