Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Savage, MN: $60,840 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Savage, MN earns a median $60,840/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Savage's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $61,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Minnesota state average.

$60,840
Median Annual Salary
$29.25/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$50,859
Entry Level (P10)
$77,618
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Assistant Salary in Savage, MN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Savage, MN dental assistant salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Savage, Minnesota, the dental assistant salary reflects the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) rules, driving compensation levels significantly above general dental assistant rates. The projected median annual salary in 2026 stands at $60,840, with a full salary range extending from $50,859 at the 10th percentile to $77,618 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate a robust job market for dental assistants in the region. Understanding the earning potential through the lens of specialization and expanded function authority can significantly impact one's career trajectory within Savage’s dynamic dental health landscape.

About the Savage Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$50,859$24.45
Lower Range (P25)$58,300$28.03
Median (P50)(typical)$60,840$29.25
Upper Range (P75)$73,403$35.29
Top Earners (P90)$77,618$37.32

Median Salary Position

$49,579$77,618
City Median: $60,840
National: $49,579
P10–P90 Range

22.71% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Savage

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Savage. The median salary is $60,840, compared to the national median of $49,579.$44.6K$53.8K$63.1K$72.3K$81.5K$50.9K10th Pctl$58.3K25th Pctl$60.8KMedian$73.4K75th Pctl$77.6K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Savage, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,759 (2026 est.). At $60,840, the local median is 22.71% above the national median of $49,579.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,170
per week
$5,070
per month
$60,841
per year

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

How Savage Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Savage median: $60,840/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySavage Pays
Minnesota Average$62,916-3.30% less
National Average$49,579+22.71% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Savage ($60,840) with Minnesota average ($62,916) and the US national median ($49,579).Savage$60,840Minnesota Avg$62,916-3.30%US National$49,579+22.71%

Dental Assistants in Savage, MN earn a median of $60,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.71% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.30% below the Minnesota state average of $62,916.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,840
Nominal Salary
98.5
CoL Index
$61,766
Adjusted Salary

Savage 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.

The nominal salary is $60,840. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $61,766, a gain of $926.$42.1K$49.4K$56.6K$63.8K$71.0K$60,840NominalSalary$61,766CoL Adjusted(CoL: 98.5) 1.52%US Median $49.6K

Savage, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $60,840 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,766 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$49,183

2025 BLS Actual

$58,988

2026 Current Est.

$60,840

2019–2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Savage (20192027)

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

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental assistants in Savage. Baseline $49,183 in 2025, projected to $62,751 by 2027.$44.4K$49.7K$55.1K$60.5K$65.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.2K$50.5K$47.4K$55.0K$57.1K$49.5K$59.0K$60.8K$62.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$49,183Actual
2020$50,533Actual
2021$47,441Actual
2022$55,000Actual
2023$57,110Actual
2024$49,522Actual
2025$58,988Actual
2026(current)$60,840Estimated
2027$62,751Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Savage metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $49,183 (2019) to $58,988 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,751 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,568 (27.59%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Savage metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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)$50,859$58,300
3-5 years (Mid Career)$58,300$60,840
5+ years (Experienced)$60,840$73,403
10+ years (Top Earner)$73,403$77,618

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

Dental Assistant Job Market in Savage

As of 2026, Savage employs a compact workforce of nine dental assistants, which reflects a niche but dedicated local job market. The cost-of-living index for the area is set at 98.5, slightly below the national average, influencing the purchasing power of take-home salaries. Employers in Savage such as general dental practices and pediatric dental specialty offices often offer competitive wages, with higher pay typically seen in orthodontic and oral surgery practices. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include the EFDA credential, which allows dental assistants to perform advanced procedures, and the role's hybrid nature when combined with treatment coordination. To maximize earning potential, dental assistants might consider pursuing further certifications or specializing in high-demand areas, all while actively seeking employment with DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, known for their hierarchical pay scales and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Savage is $60,840/year ($29.25/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $50,859 at entry level (10th percentile) to $77,618 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Savage at 22.7% 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 Savage, MN a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Savage dental assistant salaries are 22.7% above the national average and 3.3% below the Minnesota state average. The metro area employs approximately 9 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 Savage?

The median dental assistant salary in Savage is $60,840, and the 90th percentile earns $77,618. 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 Savage?

After adjusting for Savage's cost-of-living index of 98.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,840 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $61,766 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 1.5% further in Savage 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 Savage?

Dental Assistants in Savage earn a median hourly rate of $29.25, which translates to approximately $60,840/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $24.45 for entry-level positions to $37.32 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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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 $58,988 for dental assistantsin the Savage 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 Savage 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. · View source data at BLS.gov

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