KS · Manhattan · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Manhattan, KS

Dental Assistants in the Manhattan area earn a median of $19.66 per hour, about $40,890 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $17.79 and $22.29. That ranks 287th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 249th of 339 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Manhattan.

Dental Assistant pay in Manhattan, KS

The metro median is 3% above the Kansas statewide median of $19.15 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 130 dental assistants employed in the Manhattan metro area, 2.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.00).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$16.81$34,96026% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.79$37,00022% below U.S. median
Median$19.66$40,89014% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.29$46,3602% below U.S. median
Top 10%$26.55$55,22017% above U.S. median

How Manhattan ranks

  • 287th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 249th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 4 Kansas metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Manhattan

  • Overall prices in Manhattan run 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.2, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 28% below the U.S. average (index 72.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $19.66 median hour buys what $21.81 buys at the national price level, 4% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Manhattan, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Manhattan paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$708
  • Per year: $35,388
  • Per month: $2,949

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Manhattan metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Dental Assistant roles in Kansas

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Manhattan as they open.

PermanentPosted 6 days ago

Dental Assistant

PDS Health · Overland Park, KS

$17.50–$24.25/ hour
  • Bluhawk Dental Group
  • Req 112724
New this week
View role
PermanentPosted 9 days ago

Dental Assistant

PDS Health · Kansas City, KS

$17.50–$24.25/ hour
  • Legends Dental Group and Orthodontics
  • Req 112555
View role
PermanentPosted 10 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Overland Park, KS

$19.00–$23.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-011098
View role

All Dental Assistant jobs in Kansas

Dental health shortage areas in Riley County

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Riley County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 19 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Topeka, KS50 mi$22.23/hr125,467
Lawrence, KS74 mi$21.57/hr97,271
Shawnee, KS97 mi$22.97/hr69,724
Lenexa, KS98 mi$22.97/hr59,427
Olathe, KS98 mi$22.97/hr149,035
Kansas City, KS100 mi$22.97/hr156,752

Dental Assistant jobs in Kansas · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Kansas

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kansas requires for your role with the Kansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Kansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Kansas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Manhattan

Manhattan city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Manhattan, KS?

Dental Assistants in the Manhattan metro area have a median pay of $19.66 per hour, about $40,890 a year. The middle half earn between $17.79 and $22.29 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Manhattan a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Manhattan ranks 249th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 287th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Kansas license to work in Manhattan as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Kansas requires for your role with the Kansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Manhattan in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Riley County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Manhattan?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Manhattan and across Kansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Manhattan.

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What do employers near Manhattan pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other employers

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Manhattan, KS
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportManhattan, KS · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Dentures Plus Implant and Dental Center of Kansas, LLCLenexa, KS · 1 wage offer$24.17/ hr$24–$24
  • Aspen DentalOverland Park, KS · 4 postings$21.25/ hr$18–$25
  • PDS HealthOverland Park, KS · 5 postings$19.12/ hr$15–$24

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.

2What they are offering now

Low$16Median$20.88High$24

10 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Kansas, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 10 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant in TrainingPermanent
    $15.25–$21.25/ hour
    PDS Health · Lawrence, KS · posted today
  2. Dental Assistant in TrainingPermanent
    $16.00–$22.25/ hour
    PDS Health · Merriam, KS · posted yesterday

+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
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