Dental Assistant Salary in Kent, WA: $51,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Kent, WA earns a median $51,006/year (≈ $24.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $47,492 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kent, Washington, the evolving dental landscape has led to a median annual salary of $51,006 for dental assistants in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $49,579. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting near $39,877 and experienced professionals earning up to $69,449, reflecting the state's EFDA expanded function rules that enable qualified dental assistants to perform advanced procedures. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments highlight the competitive nature of dental assistant pay in Kent, WA, where employers are increasingly offering attractive compensation to attract skilled professionals.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,877 | $19.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,155 | $22.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,006 | $24.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,713 | $30.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,449 | $33.39 |
Median Salary Position
2.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,572 (2026 est.). At $51,006, the local median is 2.88% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Kent median: $51,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,108 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | +2.88% more |
Dental Assistants in Kent, WA earn a median of $51,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $51,108.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,006 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,492 — a 6.89% reduction.
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
$41,233
2025 BLS Actual
$49,453
2026 Current Est.
$51,006
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,109 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,879 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,894 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $41,233 (2019) to $49,453 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,374 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $39,877 – $47,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,155 – $51,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,006 – $63,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,713 – $69,449 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Kent
The local job market for dental assistants in Kent consists of approximately 33 employed individuals, navigating a cost-of-living index of 107.4, which means that while earnings are relatively robust, they must also contend with higher living expenses. Employers such as larger dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen typically offer higher pay scales compared to general dental practices, reflecting the influence of DSO consolidation on compensation structures. The disparity in salaries often stems from specialization—those working in oral surgery or orthodontics tend to earn significantly more than those in general practice. To maximize earning potential in Kent, dental assistants might consider pursuing expanded function credentials or seeking hybrid roles that combine additional responsibilities, thus enhancing their marketability in this dynamic job environment.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Kent, WA in 2026?
Is Kent, WA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Kent?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Kent?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Kent?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $49,453 for dental assistantsin the Kent 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 Kent 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