PayByState

Missouri · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Missouri

Median $43,090 · Top 10% earn $52,780+ · Roughly 7,542 workers in Missouri. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Missouri median
$43,090
$20.72/hr
Top 10%
$52,780
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$30,130
Entry-level range
Real pay
$48,525
CoL-adjusted (RPP 88.8)

Missouri pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $43,090 versus the national median of $47,350. Missouri's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,175 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 7,542 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Missouri

Missouri pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Missouri ranks #41 of 50 states

Where Missouri sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Missouri
#36 Georgia $43,560 +$470
#35 Nebraska $44,040 +$950
#34 North Carolina $44,040 +$950
#41 Missouri (this page) $43,090 —
#44 South Dakota $42,140 −$950
#45 Oklahoma $42,140 −$950
#46 Kentucky $42,140 −$950
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Missouri

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Missouri median of $43,090, payback periods are typically 1.1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Missouri selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Missouri — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Missouri?
The median dental assistant salary in Missouri is $43,090 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $30,130; the top 10% earn $52,780 or more. About 7,542 people work in this role across the state.
How does Missouri dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Missouri's median of $43,090 is $4,260 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 88.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $48,525.
Is dental assistant a good career in Missouri?
On the data: Missouri employs roughly 7,542 dental assistants, with a median wage of $43,090 and the top decile clearing $52,780. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Missouri?
At the Missouri median of $43,090 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $20.72/hr. The top 10% earn around $25.38/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.49/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Missouri-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Missouri's RPP is 88.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.