Dental Assistant Salary in Sandy, UT: $38,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Sandy, UT earns a median $38,196/year (≈ $18.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Sandy's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $38,936 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $38,196, dental assistant pay in Sandy, UT, shows a notable variance based on specific roles and practice types. The salary range for dental assistants spans from $29,457 at the lower end (P10) to $49,680 for those at the higher end (P90), reflecting differences in specialty and experience. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicates the local market is slightly less lucrative compared to the national median of $49,579. Despite this, the local demand for dental assistants remains stable, particularly within specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics, where additional training and certifications can significantly boost income potential.
About the Sandy Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,457 | $14.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,941 | $16.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,196 | $18.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,544 | $22.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,680 | $23.89 |
Median Salary Position
22.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sandy
In Sandy, UT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,223 (2026 est.). At $38,196, the local median is 22.96% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sandy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sandy Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Sandy median: $38,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sandy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $37,743 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -22.96% less |
Dental Assistants in Sandy, UT earn a median of $38,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.96% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.20% above the Utah state average of $37,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sandy has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sandy, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $38,196 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,936 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,878
2025 BLS Actual
$37,033
2026 Current Est.
$38,196
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sandy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,878 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,725 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,784 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,529 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sandy metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $30,878 (2019) to $37,033 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,517 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sandy 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) | $29,457 – $34,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,941 – $38,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,196 – $46,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,544 – $49,680 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Sandy
In Sandy, the local job market shows a modest employment figure of 18 dental assistants, indicating steady demand despite competitive pay scales. The cost-of-living index at 98.1 suggests that take-home earnings can stretch further than in high-cost areas, offering a relatively affordable lifestyle. Among employers, general dental practices typically offer salaries that align closely with the local median, while specialized settings like orthodontic and oral surgery practices often pay better. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to the nature of the practice, with expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) earning considerably more due to their advanced skill sets. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant salary in Sandy, pursuing EFDA credentials or exploring hybrid roles as treatment coordinators could enhance earning potential. Networking within local DSO chains such as Heartland and Aspen can also provide access to competitive pay scales and advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Sandy, UT:
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 $37,033 for dental assistantsin the Sandy 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 Sandy 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