Dental Assistant Salary in Port Huron, MI: $47,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Port Huron, MI earns a median $47,800/year (≈ $22.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Port Huron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $51,288 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Huron, Michigan, dental assistants can anticipate a 2026 median annual salary of $47,800, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national average of $49,579. This compensation range within the city varies significantly, with the 10th percentile earning about $37,733 and the 90th percentile reaching up to $58,322. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors. As DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen continue to dominate the market, their structured pay scales may differ from the flexibility offered by solo practices, ultimately impacting the overall compensation landscape for dental assistants in this area.
About the Port Huron Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,733 | $18.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,159 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,178 | $27.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,322 | $28.04 |
Median Salary Position
3.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Port Huron
In Port Huron, MI, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,589 (2026 est.). At $47,800, the local median is 3.59% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Port Huron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Port Huron Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Port Huron median: $47,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Port Huron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $48,381 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -3.59% less |
Dental Assistants in Port Huron, MI earn a median of $47,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $48,381.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Port Huron has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Port Huron, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $47,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,288 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,642
2025 BLS Actual
$46,345
2026 Current Est.
$47,800
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Port Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,642 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,212 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,673 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,345 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,301 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Port Huron metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,642 (2019) to $46,345 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,659 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Huron 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) | $37,733 – $44,159 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,159 – $47,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,800 – $57,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,178 – $58,322 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Port Huron
Currently, only six dental assistants are employed in Port Huron, indicating a niche market. The cost-of-living index here is 93.2, which suggests that while salaries may be somewhat lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Among local employers, DSO chains often provide the highest pay due to standardized scales, while specialty practices such as oral surgery and orthodontics tend to offer even more competitive salaries. Factors such as expanded function authority (EFDA) credentials, hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators, and differences in employer type significantly contribute to variations in pay levels. To maximize earnings in Port Huron, dental assistants should consider gaining additional certifications, exploring positions with DSO chains, or seeking opportunities within specialty practices that may offer higher compensation.
More salary data for Port Huron, 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 $46,345 for dental assistantsin the Port Huron 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 Port Huron 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