Dental Assistant Salary in Williston, ND: $43,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Williston, ND earns a median $43,524/year (≈ $20.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $47,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Williston, North Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $43,524, which reflects the influence of the state's expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) regulations. This salary is particularly compelling considering the local pay scale ranges from $35,448 at the 10th percentile to $54,318 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrate how the job market in Williston adjusts compensation to attract and retain qualified dental assistants. With a steady annual growth rate of 3.14%, the demand for dental professionals remains promising, encouraging a competitive environment among employers in the area.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,448 | $17.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,016 | $19.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,524 | $20.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,906 | $24.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,318 | $26.12 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,870 (2026 est.). At $43,524, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Williston median: $43,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $45,623 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.21% less |
Dental Assistants in Williston, ND earn a median of $43,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $45,623.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,524 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,309 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,185
2025 BLS Actual
$42,199
2026 Current Est.
$43,524
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,185 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,151 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,346 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,382 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,199 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,185 (2019) to $42,199 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,706 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $35,448 – $41,016 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,016 – $43,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,524 – $51,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,906 – $54,318 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Williston
Understanding the local job market dynamics is crucial for those considering a career as a dental assistant in Williston. Currently, there are seven dental assistants employed locally, indicating a niche market with growth potential. The cost-of-living index stands at 92, underscoring that salaries have greater purchasing power compared to regions with a higher cost of living. Among the various employers, dental practices affiliated with large chains such as Heartland and Aspen often offer the highest pay, driven by structured salary scales and the potential for advancement into hybrid roles or mentoring positions. Factors such as specialty practices—like orthodontics and oral surgery—tend to command higher wages, emphasizing the importance of credentialing and experience. DAs in Williston looking to enhance their earning potential should consider pursuing EFDA certification, gaining experience with diverse treatment types, and staying abreast of the evolving job opportunities influenced by regional DSO consolidation trends.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 $42,199 for dental assistantsin the Williston 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 Williston 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