Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Eagan, MN: $61,676 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Eagan, MN earns a median $61,676/year (โ‰ˆ $29.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Eagan's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.

$61,676
Median Annual Salary
$29.65/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$49,348
Entry Level (P10)
$80,288
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Eagan, MN โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Eagan, MN dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental assistants in Eagan, MN, is $61,676, significantly above the national median of $49,579. This local figure reflects a competitive job market, particularly for those working in specialty areas such as oral surgery and orthodontics, which can command higher wages. The salary range extends from $49,348 at the 10th percentile to $80,288 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the potential for substantial earnings based on experience, skill level, and workplace environment. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, painting a picture of a robust profession in Eagan's healthcare scene that continues to grow.

About the Eagan Market

Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$49,348$23.72
Lower Range (P25)$57,710$27.74
Median (P50)(typical)$61,676$29.65
Upper Range (P75)$75,056$36.09
Top Earners (P90)$80,288$38.59

Median Salary Position

$49,348$80,288
City Median: $61,676
National: $49,579
P10โ€“P90 Range

24.40% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eagan

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Eagan. The median salary is $61,676, compared to the national median of $49,579.$44.4K$54.4K$64.4K$74.3K$84.3K$49.3K10th Pctl$57.7K25th Pctl$61.7KMedian$75.1K75th Pctl$80.3K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Eagan, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,940 (2026 est.). At $61,676, the local median is 24.4% above the national median of $49,579.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental assistant pay in the Eagan metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,186
per week
$5,140
per month
$61,678
per year

At 40 hours/week in Eagan: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Eagan Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Eagan median: $61,676/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryEagan Pays
Minnesota Average$62,934-2.00% less
National Average$49,579+24.40% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Eagan ($61,676) with Minnesota average ($62,934) and the US national median ($49,579).Eagan$61,676Minnesota Avg$62,934-2.00%US National$49,579+24.40%

Dental Assistants in Eagan, MN earn a median of $61,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.40% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $62,934.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$61,676
Nominal Salary
98.5
CoL Index
$62,615
Adjusted Salary

Eagan has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $61,676. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $62,615, a gain of $939.$42.1K$49.6K$57.1K$64.5K$72.0K$61,676NominalSalary$62,615CoL Adjusted(CoL: 98.5)โ–ฒ 1.52%US Median $49.6K

Eagan, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $61,676 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,615 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 1.52% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$49,859

2025 BLS Actual

$59,798

2026 Current Est.

$61,676

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Eagan (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Eagan. Baseline $49,859 in 2025, projected to $63,612 by 2027.$45.0K$50.4K$55.9K$61.3K$66.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.9K$51.2K$48.1K$55.8K$57.9K$50.2K$59.8K$61.7K$63.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$49,859Actual
2020$51,227Actual
2021$48,092Actual
2022$55,755Actual
2023$57,895Actual
2024$50,203Actual
2025$59,798Actual
2026(current)$61,676Estimated
2027$63,612Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eagan metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $49,859 (2019) to $59,798 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,612 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $13,753 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eagan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$49,348 โ€“ $57,710
3-5 years (Mid Career)$57,710 โ€“ $61,676
5+ years (Experienced)$61,676 โ€“ $75,056
10+ years (Top Earner)$75,056 โ€“ $80,288

DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Assistant Job Market in Eagan

The job market for dental assistants in Eagan currently comprises only 13 employed professionals, a small pool that might indicate localized demand and fewer competitors. The cost of living index in this area is 98.5, suggesting that while salaries are strong, the purchasing power can be slightly favorable when compared to national averages. Employers, particularly general dental practices and chains like Heartland and Aspen Dental, often provide the highest compensation packages. The financial disparity among dental assistants can be attributed to their specialty, such as pediatric versus general dentistry, and additional credentials, such as an EFDA license, which can elevate earnings by 25-40% in states with expanded function authority. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Eagan, pursuing further education and certifications, along with seeking positions in high-demand specialty practices, can be effective strategies for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental assistants make in Eagan, MN in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Eagan is $61,676/year ($29.65/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $49,348 at entry level (10th percentile) to $80,288 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Eagan at 24.4% above the national median. Full-time dental assistants typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Eagan, MN a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Eagan dental assistant salaries are 24.4% above the national average and 2.0% below the Minnesota state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 dental assistants. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental assistants make $100K in Eagan?

The median dental assistant salary in Eagan is $61,676, and the 90th percentile earns $80,288. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Eagan?

After adjusting for Eagan's cost-of-living index of 98.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $61,676 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $62,615 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 1.5% further in Eagan compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for dental assistants seeking strong real wages.

How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Eagan?

Dental Assistants in Eagan earn a median hourly rate of $29.65, which translates to approximately $61,676/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $23.72 for entry-level positions to $38.59 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental assistants sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

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 $59,798 for dental assistantsin the Eagan 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Eagan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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