Dental Assistant Salary in Mitchell, SD: $43,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Mitchell, SD earns a median $43,797/year (≈ $21.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Mitchell's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $47,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for dental assistants in Mitchell, South Dakota, is $43,797 as of 2026. This figure suggests a competitive position within the regional job market, presenting a salary range from $35,241 at the lower end to $52,843 at the higher end. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate that dental assistants specializing in fields such as oral surgery and orthodontics might earn significantly more than their counterparts in general practices. In comparison to the national median of $49,579, the data reflects about an 11.66% difference, which can impact potential candidates’ choices when considering roles in Mitchell.
About the Mitchell Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,241 | $16.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,786 | $19.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,797 | $21.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,843 | $25.40 |
Median Salary Position
11.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mitchell
In Mitchell, SD, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,602 (2026 est.). At $43,797, the local median is 11.66% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mitchell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mitchell Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Mitchell median: $43,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mitchell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $46,006 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -11.66% less |
Dental Assistants in Mitchell, SD earn a median of $43,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.80% below the South Dakota state average of $46,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mitchell has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mitchell, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $43,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,406
2025 BLS Actual
$42,464
2026 Current Est.
$43,797
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Mitchell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,406 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,378 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,593 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,112 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mitchell metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $35,406 (2019) to $42,464 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,767 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mitchell 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) | $35,241 – $40,786 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,786 – $43,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,797 – $51,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,210 – $52,843 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Mitchell
Currently, the employment landscape shows six dental assistants working in Mitchell, signifying a reasonably stable market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, salaries in Mitchell stretch further than national averages, enhancing the purchasing power of local residents. In terms of pay, dental assistants associated with pediatric dental offices, orthodontic practices, or oral surgery tend to earn higher compensation compared to those in general practices. Factors such as specialty certification, including the EFDA credential, and dual roles like treatment coordinator can also boost pay significantly. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring dental assistants should consider pursuing additional certification or training while exploring positions with larger DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which typically offer structured pay scales and potential growth opportunities.
More salary data for Mitchell, SD:
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 $42,464 for dental assistantsin the Mitchell 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 Mitchell 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