Dental Assistant Salary in Gillette, WY: $44,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Gillette, WY earns a median $44,998/year (≈ $21.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Gillette's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $46,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gillette, Wyoming, dental assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $44,998 in 2026, which reflects a competitive pay scale compared to other local markets. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $36,126 and the top 90% reaching up to $55,654. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight a structured compensation framework influenced by the rise of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) that standardize pay across their networks, contrasting with the more flexible salary options found in independent practices. With the local job market employing nine dental assistants, the dynamics in Gillette favor those who navigate the evolving industry environment effectively.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,126 | $17.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,018 | $20.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,998 | $21.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,192 | $26.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,654 | $26.75 |
Median Salary Position
9.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gillette
In Gillette, WY, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,528 (2026 est.). At $44,998, the local median is 9.24% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gillette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gillette Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Gillette median: $44,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gillette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $47,516 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -9.24% less |
Dental Assistants in Gillette, WY earn a median of $44,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.30% below the Wyoming state average of $47,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gillette has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gillette, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $44,998 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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
$36,376
2025 BLS Actual
$43,628
2026 Current Est.
$44,998
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Gillette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,376 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,088 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,239 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,628 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gillette metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $36,376 (2019) to $43,628 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,035 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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) | $36,126 – $42,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,018 – $44,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,998 – $54,192 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,192 – $55,654 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Gillette
Looking beyond the surface, the job market for dental assistants in Gillette is shaped significantly by the local cost of living, which sits at a moderate index of 95.8. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of dental assistant salaries, allowing professionals to make the most of their earnings. Among employers, general dental practices may offer varying pay compared to DSOs like Heartland and Aspen, which tend to provide more standardized wages across their locations. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to the type of dental practice, with specialties such as oral surgery and orthodontics offering higher potential earnings than general dentistry or pediatric offices. Those seeking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Gillette should consider gaining additional qualifications like the EFDA credential or exploring roles that combine treatment coordination with hands-on assistance to increase their market value significantly.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Gillette, WY in 2026?
Is Gillette, WY a good place to work as a dental assistant?
Can dental assistants make $100K in Gillette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental assistant salary in Gillette?
How much does a dental assistant make per hour in Gillette?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wyoming
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 $43,628 for dental assistantsin the Gillette 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 Gillette 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