Dental Assistant Salary in Faribault, MN: $59,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Faribault, MN earns a median $59,442/year (≈ $28.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Faribault's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $60,347 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Faribault, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $59,442, which surpasses the national median of $49,579 by nearly 20%. This local salary figure reflects a broader salary range from $47,043 at the 10th percentile to $74,258 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential within the profession. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The expanded function authorization in Minnesota significantly enhances dental assistant pay, as credentialed professionals often earn 25-40% more compared to their non-credentialed counterparts. Such a competitive salary is influenced by the growing demand for skilled dental support roles, particularly in specialized practices that drive higher wages.
About the Faribault Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,043 | $22.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,784 | $26.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,442 | $28.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,251 | $34.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,258 | $35.70 |
Median Salary Position
19.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Faribault
In Faribault, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,215 (2026 est.). At $59,442, the local median is 19.89% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Faribault: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Faribault Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Faribault median: $59,442/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Faribault Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $62,901 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +19.89% more |
Dental Assistants in Faribault, MN earn a median of $59,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.89% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 5.50% below the Minnesota state average of $62,901.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Faribault 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.
Faribault, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $59,442 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,347 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,053
2025 BLS Actual
$57,632
2026 Current Est.
$59,442
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Faribault (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,053 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,371 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,736 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,798 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,384 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,308 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Faribault metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $48,053 (2019) to $57,632 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,308 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,255 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Faribault 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) | $47,043 – $54,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,784 – $59,442 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,442 – $71,251 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,251 – $74,258 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Faribault
The job market for dental assistants in Faribault currently employs only six professionals, suggesting a relatively small but potentially competitive field. The cost of living index in the area is 98.5, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which positively impacts the take-home purchasing power for local dental assistants. Among the dental practices in Faribault, those associated with general dentistry, orthodontics, and pediatric specialties tend to pay the highest; however, larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen often offer standardized pay scales that can benefit their employees. The variation in salaries can be attributed to many factors, including the type of dental practice, the presence of advanced credentials such as EFDA, and whether a dental assistant is utilized in a hybrid role as a treatment coordinator. For those seeking to maximize their pay in this market, pursuing additional training or certification, such as becoming an EFDA, may provide significant financial benefits and open doors to high-paying opportunities.
More salary data for Faribault, 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 $57,632 for dental assistantsin the Faribault 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 Faribault 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