Dental Assistant Salary in Flint, MI: $49,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Flint, MI earns a median $49,879/year (≈ $23.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Flint's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $53,614 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flint, Michigan, dental assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,879 in 2026, which is slightly higher than the national median of $49,579. Dental assistants in the area can expect a salary range from $38,616 for the lowest 10% to $62,245 for the highest 90%. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), signifies both potential and variability within the market. The presence of specialty practices, particularly in oral surgery and orthodontics, offers an additional premium and elevates overall compensation, enhancing prospects for those who seek out those specific fields in Flint.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,616 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,371 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,879 | $23.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,245 | $29.92 |
Median Salary Position
0.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
In Flint, MI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,629 (2026 est.). At $49,879, the local median is 0.61% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flint: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flint Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Flint median: $49,879/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flint Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $48,379 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +0.61% more |
Dental Assistants in Flint, MI earn a median of $49,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.10% above the Michigan state average of $48,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flint has a cost of living 6.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flint, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.034 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $49,879 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,614 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,260
2025 BLS Actual
$48,360
2026 Current Est.
$49,879
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flint metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 33.4% from $36,260 (2019) to $48,360 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,185 (41.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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) | $38,616 – $45,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,371 – $49,879 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,879 – $56,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,510 – $62,245 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Flint
With approximately 430 dental assistants working in Flint, the local job market demonstrates a healthy demand for skilled professionals. The cost-of-living index in the area is set at 93.034, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which positively impacts take-home pay for dental assistants. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include specialty practices in oral surgery and orthodontics, as well as well-established dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental. Factors driving the salary differences include the type of practice, expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials where applicable, hybrid roles as treatment coordinators, and potential stipends for lead or mentor assistants. Those looking to maximize their earning potential in Flint should consider pursuing EFDA credentials, as this often leads to higher pay, or exploring opportunities within DSOs, where pay scales tend to be more competitive.
More salary data for Flint, MI:
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 $48,360 for dental assistantsin the Flint 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