Dental Assistant Salary in Billings, MT: $49,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Billings, MT earns a median $49,043/year (≈ $23.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $52,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Billings, Montana, stands at a median of $49,043, slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants here varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $39,492, while the top 90% can earn up to $63,008. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a promising job market for dental assistants in Billings, supported by a projected growth rate of 3.14% annually. As the demand for dental services, particularly in specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics, continues to rise, dental assistants who gain additional credentials may see enhanced earning potential, making the Billings market an attractive option for both new and experienced professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,492 | $18.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,348 | $19.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,043 | $23.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,221 | $26.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,008 | $30.29 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,516 (2026 est.). At $49,043, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Billings median: $49,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $48,318 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -1.08% less |
Dental Assistants in Billings, MT earn a median of $49,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.50% above the Montana state average of $48,318.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $49,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,590
2025 BLS Actual
$47,550
2026 Current Est.
$49,043
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 23.2% from $38,590 (2019) to $47,550 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,993 (31.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $39,492 – $40,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,348 – $49,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,043 – $55,221 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,221 – $63,008 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Billings
With around 330 dental assistants currently employed in the Billings area and a cost-of-living index of 93.526, the local market conditions are conducive for maintaining a favorable take-home income. General practices typically offer competitive salaries, but those in pediatric dental and specialty practices, particularly orthodontics and oral surgery, tend to pay the most. Factors influencing the pay variance include the necessity for specific certifications such as the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), which can elevate compensation by 25-40% in states that recognize this credential. Additionally, emerging roles within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often utilize standardized pay scales across their networks, can also impact salary expectations. For dental assistants aiming to maximize their pay in Billings, pursuing additional training and exploring opportunities in specialized fields or becoming hybrid roles such as treatment coordinators can enhance their professional value significantly.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 $47,550 for dental assistantsin the Billings 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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