Dental Assistant Salary in Morgantown, WV: $39,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Morgantown, WV earns a median $39,750/year (≈ $19.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $42,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for dental assistants in Morgantown, West Virginia, is projected to be $39,750. This figure reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants here spans from $31,220 at the 10th percentile to $55,386 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in compensation. Such disparities are often influenced by whether dental assistants work within a DSO chain versus a solo practice. DSOs commonly offer standardized pay scales and structured training, while solo practices may provide flexibility and potential for personalized growth. The data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, providing insights into the Morgantown job market dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,739 | $18.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,073 | $22.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,386 | $26.63 |
Median Salary Position
19.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,166 (2026 est.). At $39,750, the local median is 19.82% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $39,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,579 | -19.82% less |
Dental Assistants in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $39,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.82% lower than the national median of $49,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $39,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,990
2025 BLS Actual
$38,540
2026 Current Est.
$39,750
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 7.1% from $35,990 (2019) to $38,540 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,008 (13.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $31,220 – $37,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,739 – $39,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,750 – $47,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,073 – $55,386 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Morgantown
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are about 100 dental assistants employed in Morgantown, which contributes to a competitive atmosphere for talent. The cost of living is relatively low, with a cost-of-living index of 93.323, allowing for better purchasing power with local salaries. Among employers, dental assistant pay in Morgantown tends to be higher in specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics, compared to general dental practices, which can lead to pay disparities. Factors such as expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) credentials, duties as treatment coordinators, and positions within DSO chains can significantly drive compensation growth. To maximize pay in Morgantown, dental assistants may consider pursuing further certifications, gaining experience in specialty offices, or seeking roles that combine responsibilities, thus enhancing their earning potential.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
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 $38,540 for dental assistantsin the Morgantown 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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