Dental Assistant Salary in Andover, MN: $60,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Andover, MN earns a median $60,640/year (≈ $29.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Andover's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $61,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Andover, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $60,640, significantly outpacing the national median of $49,579 by approximately 22.31%. This higher pay is largely influenced by the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules, which allow trained assistants to perform a greater range of procedures, elevating their value in dental practices. Salaries for dental assistants in Andover range from a lower end of $50,364 (P10) to a peak of $76,976 (P90), reflecting a competitive market driven by a combination of demand for skilled dental professionals and the complexity of tasks performed. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, illustrating the attractiveness of pursuing a dental assistant career in this area.
About the Andover Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,364 | $24.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,866 | $27.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,640 | $29.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,927 | $35.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,976 | $37.01 |
Median Salary Position
22.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Andover
In Andover, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,612 (2026 est.). At $60,640, the local median is 22.31% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Andover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Andover Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Andover median: $60,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Andover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,905 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +22.31% more |
Dental Assistants in Andover, MN earn a median of $60,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.31% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.60% below the Minnesota state average of $62,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Andover has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Andover, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $60,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,563 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,022
2025 BLS Actual
$58,794
2026 Current Est.
$60,640
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Andover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,022 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,359 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,794 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Andover metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $49,022 (2019) to $58,794 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,522 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Andover 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) | $50,364 – $57,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,866 – $60,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,640 – $72,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,927 – $76,976 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Andover
The local job market for dental assistants in Andover currently employs eight professionals, providing a community with specialized dental care. While the cost-of-living index is slightly below the national average at 98.5, this means that local wages allow for decent purchasing power. Employers such as general dental practices, orthodontic offices, and larger dental service organizations (DSOs) like Aspen Dental and Heartland Dental tend to offer the highest salaries in the region. The diversity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the type of practice and the level of EFDA credentials, where specialty roles in orthodontics and oral surgery command higher salaries than general practice. Obtaining additional certifications, seeking employment at DSOs, or transitioning to hybrid roles like treatment coordinators can also prove beneficial for maximizing dental assistant pay in Andover, MN.
More salary data for Andover, MN:
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 $58,794 for dental assistantsin the Andover 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 Andover 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