Dental Assistant Salary in Barre, VT: $48,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Barre, VT earns a median $48,446/year (≈ $23.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Barre's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $46,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants in Barre, Vermont, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $48,446 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $49,579, reflecting the local market's unique dynamics. Salary ranges for dental assistant pay in Barre, VT, show a wide variation, with entry-level positions starting at $38,295 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $57,577 (P90). These estimates are driven by local cost adjustments and the presence of distinct employment types in the area, such as solo practices versus larger DSO chains. The nature of the employer significantly influences compensation, often allowing for more flexibility in pay structures within independent practices compared to standardized chain pay-scales.
About the Barre Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,295 | $18.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,615 | $21.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,446 | $23.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,249 | $27.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,577 | $27.68 |
Median Salary Position
2.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barre
In Barre, VT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,282 (2026 est.). At $48,446, the local median is 2.29% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Barre: You'd be above the median
How Barre Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Barre median: $48,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $51,320 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.29% less |
Dental Assistants in Barre, VT earn a median of $48,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.29% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.60% below the Vermont state average of $51,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Barre has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Barre, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,446 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,808 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,164
2025 BLS Actual
$46,971
2026 Current Est.
$48,446
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,164 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,239 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,795 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,476 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Barre metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,164 (2019) to $46,971 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,803 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barre 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) | $38,295 – $44,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,615 – $48,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,446 – $56,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,249 – $57,577 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Barre
With only six dental assistants currently employed in Barre, the local job market exhibits a somewhat limited workforce, contributing to competitive pay dynamics for available positions. The cost-of-living index in Barre sits at 103.5, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for dental assistants remains a fundamental consideration. Notably, DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen might provide higher wages, particularly for specialized roles, compared to general dental practices. Specialty fields such as oral surgery and orthodontics generally pay more than pediatrics and general dentistry, while those holding expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials can significantly boost their earnings. Maximizing pay in Barre involves pursuing additional certifications like EFDA, considering hybrid roles that combine administrative tasks with clinical duties, and actively seeking opportunities within the more lucrative specialty practices in the region.
More salary data for Barre, VT:
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 $46,971 for dental assistantsin the Barre 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 Barre 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