Dental Assistant Salary in Austin, MN: $59,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Austin, MN earns a median $59,517/year (≈ $28.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $60,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Austin, MN, dental assistants benefit from a robust salary structure driven by the state's EFDA expanded function rules. Projected median annual pay is estimated at $59,517 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $49,579, reflecting a regional premium of approximately 20.04%. Local salaries range from $45,584 at the low end (P10) to $73,426 for the top earners (P90), indicating a healthy job market with opportunities for advancement. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the competitive nature of dental assistant pay in Austin, contributing to a stable workforce as local employers seek skilled candidates.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,584 | $21.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,137 | $26.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,517 | $28.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,282 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,426 | $35.30 |
Median Salary Position
20.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,842 (2026 est.). At $59,517, the local median is 20.04% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $59,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,914 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +20.04% more |
Dental Assistants in Austin, MN earn a median of $59,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.04% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $62,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin 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.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $59,517 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,114
2025 BLS Actual
$57,705
2026 Current Est.
$59,517
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,114 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,804 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,445 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,705 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $48,114 (2019) to $57,705 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,272 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $45,584 – $54,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,137 – $59,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,517 – $70,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,282 – $73,426 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Austin
Despite the relatively small number of employed dental assistants—only four in the area—the job market in Austin is influenced by the cost-of-living index at 98.5, which suggests that household purchasing power is slightly below the national average. This financial context allows dental assistants to maximize their earnings by exploring job opportunities across various settings. Highest-paying employers typically include specialty practices in orthodontics and oral surgery, as well as well-established DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen Dental. Moving into roles that combine responsibilities, such as treatment coordination or assuming EFDA duties, can also contribute to higher wages. Given these dynamics, aspiring dental assistants should focus on obtaining applicable certifications and exploring advanced training pathways to enhance their earning potential in Austin.
More salary data for Austin, 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 $57,705 for dental assistantsin the Austin 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 Austin 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