Dental Assistant Pay

Dental Assistant Salary in Shakopee, MN: $60,947 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Shakopee, MN earns a median $60,947/year (โ‰ˆ $29.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Shakopee's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $61,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Minnesota state average.

$60,947
Median Annual Salary
$29.30/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$50,869
Entry Level (P10)
$74,208
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

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

In 2026, dental assistants in Shakopee, Minnesota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,947, significantly higher than the national median of $49,579, reflecting a noteworthy 22.93% premium for local professionals. The salary range for this role spans from $50,869 at the 10th percentile to $74,208 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for growth and variation within the field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate a robust market for dental support roles in the area. The specialization in oral surgery and orthodontics can further elevate earnings, emphasizing the importance of pursuing advanced skills and certifications to tap into higher pay brackets in Shakopee's competitive job market.

About the Shakopee Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$50,869$24.45
Lower Range (P25)$58,534$28.14
Median (P50)(typical)$60,947$29.30
Upper Range (P75)$71,372$34.31
Top Earners (P90)$74,208$35.68

Median Salary Position

$49,579$74,208
City Median: $60,947
National: $49,579
P10โ€“P90 Range

22.93% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shakopee

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental assistants in Shakopee. The median salary is $60,947, compared to the national median of $49,579.$44.6K$52.9K$61.3K$69.6K$77.9K$50.9K10th Pctl$58.5K25th Pctl$60.9KMedian$71.4K75th Pctl$74.2K90th PctlUS Median$49.6K

In Shakopee, MN, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,339 (2026 est.). At $60,947, the local median is 22.93% above the national median of $49,579.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,172
per week
$5,079
per month
$60,948
per year

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

How Shakopee Dental Assistant Pay Compares

Shakopee median: $60,947/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryShakopee Pays
Minnesota Average$62,897-3.10% less
National Average$49,579+22.93% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental assistant median salary in Shakopee ($60,947) with Minnesota average ($62,897) and the US national median ($49,579).Shakopee$60,947Minnesota Avg$62,897-3.10%US National$49,579+22.93%

Dental Assistants in Shakopee, MN earn a median of $60,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.93% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 3.10% below the Minnesota state average of $62,897.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,947
Nominal Salary
98.5
CoL Index
$61,875
Adjusted Salary

Shakopee 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 $60,947. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $61,875, a gain of $928.$42.1K$49.4K$56.6K$63.9K$71.2K$60,947NominalSalary$61,875CoL Adjusted(CoL: 98.5)โ–ฒ 1.52%US Median $49.6K

Shakopee, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $60,947 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,875 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 1.52% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$49,270

2025 BLS Actual

$59,092

2026 Current Est.

$60,947

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+27.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Shakopee (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 Shakopee. Baseline $49,270 in 2025, projected to $62,861 by 2027.$44.5K$49.8K$55.2K$60.6K$65.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$49.3K$50.6K$47.5K$55.1K$57.2K$49.6K$59.1K$60.9K$62.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$49,270Actual
2020$50,622Actual
2021$47,524Actual
2022$55,097Actual
2023$57,211Actual
2024$49,610Actual
2025$59,092Actual
2026(current)$60,947Estimated
2027$62,861Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shakopee metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $49,270 (2019) to $59,092 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,861 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $13,591 (27.58%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shakopee 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)$50,869 โ€“ $58,534
3-5 years (Mid Career)$58,534 โ€“ $60,947
5+ years (Experienced)$60,947 โ€“ $71,372
10+ years (Top Earner)$71,372 โ€“ $74,208

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

Dental Assistant Job Market in Shakopee

Currently, there are 11 dental assistants employed within Shakopee, indicating a modest but stable job market. The local cost-of-living index is 98.5, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power remains slightly below the national average. Employers in the area include general dental practices and specialty offices, with oral surgery and orthodontic practices typically offering the highest compensation. Factors contributing to salary disparities include specialization, the attainment of expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, and the integration of hybrid roles, such as treatment coordinators. For those seeking to enhance their dental assistant pay in Shakopee, pursuing additional certifications, especially within high-demand specialties, and considering opportunities within dental service organization (DSO) chains can be effective strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median dental assistant salary in Shakopee is $60,947/year ($29.30/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.14% annual growth). Salaries range from $50,869 at entry level (10th percentile) to $74,208 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Shakopee at 22.9% 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 Shakopee, MN a good place to work as a dental assistant?

Shakopee dental assistant salaries are 22.9% above the national average and 3.1% below the Minnesota state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 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 Shakopee?

The median dental assistant salary in Shakopee is $60,947, and the 90th percentile earns $74,208. 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 Shakopee?

After adjusting for Shakopee's cost-of-living index of 98.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,947 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $61,875 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 1.5% further in Shakopee 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 Shakopee?

Dental Assistants in Shakopee earn a median hourly rate of $29.30, which translates to approximately $60,947/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $24.45 for entry-level positions to $35.68 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 $59,092 for dental assistantsin the Shakopee 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 Shakopee 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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