Dental Assistant Salary in Bartlesville, OK: $43,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Bartlesville, OK earns a median $43,241/year (≈ $20.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Bartlesville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $48,640 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Oklahoma state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected dental assistant salary in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is estimated at $43,241 annually, reflecting a competitive pay scale influenced by local job dynamics, particularly between dental service organization (DSO) chains and independent practices. Within this market, earnings can range from $33,580 at the lower percentile to $56,287 for those in the upper echelons of pay. These figures are based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted to reflect regional cost considerations. The competition between DSO chains, such as Heartland and Aspen, alongside solo practices, creates varied pay structures, impacting opportunities for career development and financial growth as dental assistants navigate their options in Bartlesville's job market.
About the Bartlesville Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,573 | $19.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,241 | $20.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,396 | $24.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,287 | $27.06 |
Median Salary Position
12.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlesville
In Bartlesville, OK, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,707 (2026 est.). At $43,241, the local median is 12.78% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bartlesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bartlesville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Bartlesville median: $43,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $44,079 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -12.78% less |
Dental Assistants in Bartlesville, OK earn a median of $43,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.78% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% below the Oklahoma state average of $44,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlesville has a cost of living 11.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bartlesville, OK has a cost-of-living index of 88.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,640 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.49% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,956
2025 BLS Actual
$41,925
2026 Current Est.
$43,241
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Bartlesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,956 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,599 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlesville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $34,956 (2019) to $41,925 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,599 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,643 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlesville 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) | $33,580 – $39,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,573 – $43,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,241 – $50,396 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,396 – $56,287 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Bartlesville
With a relatively limited workforce of just seven dental assistants currently employed in the area, the local job market appears stable, yet earning potential varies significantly. Bartlesville's cost of living index sits at 88.9, indicating a lower-than-average expense compared to national standards, thereby increasing the purchasing power for dental assistants in the region. In terms of employer profiles, DSO chains typically offer higher wages than traditional solo practices, and specialized roles in oral surgery and orthodontics can command even more attractive compensation packages. Factors contributing to the salary variance include the ability to take on expanded functions (EFDA), specialized certifications, and hybrid roles like treatment coordinator, which demand a diverse skill set. Aspiring dental assistants should consider obtaining relevant credentials from organizations such as DANB to maximize their earning potential and enhance their qualifications in Bartlesville's competitive healthcare environment.
More salary data for Bartlesville, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Bartlesville, OK in 2026?
Is Bartlesville, OK a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Bartlesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Bartlesville?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Bartlesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 $41,925 for dental assistantsin the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville 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