Dental Assistant Salary in Kalispell, MT: $46,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kalispell, MT earns a median $46,159/year (≈ $22.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kalispell's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $47,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kalispell, MT, the expected median annual salary for dental assistants is projected to be $46,159 in 2026, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role in the area spans from $37,185 at the 10th percentile to $54,381 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' state-level data estimates and adjusted for regional cost differences. Employment conditions in Kalispell are influenced by the presence of both dental support organization (DSO) chains and solo practices; the former typically offers standardized pay scales, while solo practitioners may provide more flexibility in compensation but without the same breadth of benefits.
About the Kalispell Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,185 | $17.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,163 | $20.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,159 | $22.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,381 | $26.15 |
Median Salary Position
6.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalispell
In Kalispell, MT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,196 (2026 est.). At $46,159, the local median is 6.9% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kalispell: You'd be above the median
How Kalispell Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kalispell median: $46,159/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalispell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $48,334 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -6.90% less |
Dental Assistants in Kalispell, MT earn a median of $46,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.50% below the Montana state average of $48,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalispell has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalispell, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $46,159 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,982 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,315
2025 BLS Actual
$44,754
2026 Current Est.
$46,159
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kalispell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,339 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,993 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalispell metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $37,315 (2019) to $44,754 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,294 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalispell 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) | $37,185 – $43,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,163 – $46,159 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,159 – $53,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,160 – $54,381 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kalispell
Within Kalispell's job market, there are currently four dental assistants employed, indicating a relatively niche but stable field. The local cost of living index sits at 96.2, slightly below the national average, which, when taken into account, means that take-home earnings may stretch further than in higher cost areas. Among local employers, larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen likely offer the most competitive salaries, often paying higher rates than general dental practices. Variability in pay can arise from several factors, including specialization (with oral surgery and orthodontics generally offering higher wages), the presence of expanded function dental assistants (EFDA), and hybrid roles like treatment coordinators. To maximize earning potential in this evolving market, pursuing additional credentials and seeking opportunities in specialty practices can be invaluable strategies for dental assistants in Kalispell.
More salary data for Kalispell, 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 $44,754 for dental assistantsin the Kalispell 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 Kalispell 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