Dental Assistant Salary in Hastings, NE: $44,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Hastings, NE earns a median $44,259/year (≈ $21.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Hastings's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $48,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental assistant salary in Hastings, NE, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $44,259, reflecting a competitive offer in a field influenced by specialized roles. The salary range varies significantly, stretching from $34,008 at the 10th percentile to $54,514 at the 90th percentile, indicating that those with advanced training, such as in oral surgery or orthodontics, may command higher pay. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that Hastings' dental assistants make approximately 10.73% less than the national median salary of $49,579. With a modest number of five dental assistants employed locally, the job market is tight, but opportunities exist for those willing to enhance their skills and credentials.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,008 | $16.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,203 | $19.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,259 | $21.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,514 | $26.21 |
Median Salary Position
10.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
In Hastings, NE, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,506 (2026 est.). At $44,259, the local median is 10.73% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hastings: You'd be above the median
How Hastings Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Hastings median: $44,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hastings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $45,348 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -10.73% less |
Dental Assistants in Hastings, NE earn a median of $44,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $45,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hastings has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hastings, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,370 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,779
2025 BLS Actual
$42,912
2026 Current Est.
$44,259
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,779 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,761 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,512 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,011 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,546 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hastings metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,779 (2019) to $42,912 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,870 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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) | $34,008 – $40,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,203 – $44,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,259 – $52,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,210 – $54,514 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Hastings
The local job market for dental assistants in Hastings is supported by a cost of living index of 91.5, suggesting that purchasing power is favorable relative to national averages. This reality allows dental assistants to stretch their earnings further, even with a pay structure that varies widely based on role and employer. Generally, those working in specialized practices, such as orthodontics or oral surgery, tend to have access to higher salaries compared to general dental practices. The pay gap can also be influenced by factors like the EFDA credential, which allows expanded functions that enhance earning potential, and hybrid roles combining treatment coordination that might attract higher wages. To maximize earnings in Hastings' market, pursuing expanded duties or gaining experience in a DSO chain can lead to upward mobility, as these employers often employ standardized pay scales that may offer better compensation.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Hastings, NE in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Hastings?
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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 $42,912 for dental assistantsin the Hastings 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 Hastings 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