Dental Assistant Salary in Wichita, KS: $48,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Wichita, KS earns a median $48,061/year (≈ $23.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $52,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual dental assistant salary in Wichita, Kansas, is projected at $48,061, slightly below the national median of $49,579. This figure highlights how the expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations in Kansas can elevate pay scales compared to standard dental assistant rates. Salaries can range from $34,837 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $64,943 at the upper range (90th percentile), offering a varied income potential for those in the field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the specific market context in Wichita, where professionals are increasingly in demand due to the growth of dental service organizations (DSOs) that prefer hiring EFDAs for their advanced skills.
About the Wichita Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,837 | $16.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,513 | $20.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,061 | $23.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,644 | $28.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,943 | $31.22 |
Median Salary Position
3.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,106 (2026 est.). At $48,061, the local median is 3.06% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Wichita median: $48,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $45,086 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.06% less |
Dental Assistants in Wichita, KS earn a median of $48,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 6.60% above the Kansas state average of $45,086.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita 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.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,660
2025 BLS Actual
$46,598
2026 Current Est.
$48,061
2019–2027 Growth
+39.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 30.7% from $35,660 (2019) to $46,598 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,910 (39.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $34,837 – $42,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,513 – $48,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,061 – $59,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,644 – $64,943 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Wichita
A total of 85 dental assistants are currently working in Wichita, contributing to a robust job market for this occupation. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 90.9, indicating a more affordable living compared to the national average, which can improve overall purchasing power. Leading employers in Wichita include DSOs such as Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental, which typically offer higher salaries due to standardized pay scales and training for their staff. Factors contributing to the disparity in wages include specialization in areas like oral surgery and orthodontics, which tend to pay more than general practice roles. Additionally, obtaining EFDA certification can significantly boost earning potential, with expanded roles often commanding higher hourly rates. To maximize earnings in Wichita, dental assistants should consider continuous education, striving for specialty certifications, and exploring positions in the more lucrative sectors of dental practice.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $46,598 for dental assistantsin the Wichita 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 Wichita 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