Dental Assistant Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $49,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $49,291/year (≈ $23.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $45,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Moses Lake, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,291, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in this area spans from $40,970 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $62,547 at the upper end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, illustrate a market characterized by both the structured pay scales of DSO chains and the flexibility of solo dental practices. As a result, local dental assistants will find that their earnings can vary significantly depending on the type of practice they work for and their specific qualifications.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,098 | $22.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,291 | $23.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,376 | $28.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,547 | $30.08 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,577 (2026 est.). At $49,291, the local median is 0.58% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moses Lake Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $49,291/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $51,078 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -0.58% less |
Dental Assistants in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $49,291 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $51,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,291 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,895 — 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
$39,847
2025 BLS Actual
$47,790
2026 Current Est.
$49,291
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $39,847 (2019) to $47,790 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,991 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $40,970 – $47,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,098 – $49,291 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,291 – $59,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,376 – $62,547 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Moses Lake
With only four dental assistants currently employed in Moses Lake, the job market exhibits a localized demand that could influence wage growth moving forward, especially given the area's above-average cost of living index of 107.4. This higher index indicates that purchasing power may not be as strong as in areas with a lower cost of living, despite a solid salary range. Dental assistants working in DSO chains like Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental may typically see more standardized pay structures that reflect consistent training and credentialing processes, while specialists in pediatric, orthodontic, or oral surgery practices often command higher salaries due to the complexity of care provided. The spread in earnings is further driven by factors such as expanded function authority and hybrid roles that combine treatment coordination with dental assisting. Maximizing pay in Moses Lake may involve seeking out certification pathways through DANB or ADAA, pursuing expanded function credentials, and considering employment with larger chains to benefit from their structured advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Moses Lake, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Moses Lake, WA in 2026?
Is Moses Lake, WA a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Moses Lake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Moses Lake?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Moses Lake?
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 $47,790 for dental assistantsin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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