PermanentPosted 23 days ago
Dental Assistant - Expanded Functions
Aspen Dental · Columbia, MO
$21.00–$26.00/ hour
Top 25% pay
Dental Assistant jobs in Columbia, MO
Dental Assistants in the Columbia area earn a median of $21.56 per hour, about $44,850 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $17.69 and $22.42. That ranks 237th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 104th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 2 open roles with published pay are listed for Columbia. The free report below lists employers near Columbia and what they pay.
- $21.56median pay per hour, Columbia
- $18–$22typical range per hour
- 210dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 2open roles with published pay
Open Dental Assistant roles in Columbia
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Columbia, MO
$19.00–$24.00/ hour
For youUpdated weekly
15+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Columbia, MO
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Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Columbia, MO
The metro median is 1% below the Missouri statewide median of $21.74 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 210 dental assistants employed in the Columbia metro area, 2.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.82).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.06 | $35,480 | 25% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.69 | $36,800 | 22% below U.S. median |
| Median | $21.56 | $44,850 | 5% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $22.42 | $46,630 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $27.51 | $57,220 | 21% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 237th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 104th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 3rd of 8 Missouri 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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $21.56 median hour buys what $24.11 buys at the national price level, 6% above 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.
Estimate your Columbia paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$776
- Per year: $38,808
- Per month: $3,234
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Boone County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Boone County (1 geographic). The highest-scoring one rates 11 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
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| O'Fallon, MO | 87 mi | $22.70/hr | 95,355 |
| St. Peters, MO | 93 mi | $22.70/hr | 61,398 |
| St. Charles, MO | 98 mi | $22.70/hr | 72,458 |
| Blue Springs, MO | 104 mi | $22.97/hr | 61,246 |
| Florissant, MO | 108 mi | $22.70/hr | 51,290 |
| Independence, MO | 109 mi | $22.97/hr | 121,629 |
Dental Assistant jobs in Missouri · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Missouri
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Missouri taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Columbia, MO?
Dental Assistants in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $21.56 per hour, about $44,850 a year. The middle half earn between $17.69 and $22.42 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 104th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 237th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Columbia?
We list 2 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Columbia. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Columbia.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Columbia as a dental assistant?
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Missouri requires for your role with the Missouri licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Columbia in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Boone 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Columbia pay dental assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
50+ Dental Assistant roles in Missouri, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Missouri list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Aspen DentalColumbia, MO · 12 postings$20.75/ hr$17–$31
- PDS HealthSt. Charles, MO · 3 postings$18.88/ hr$16–$24
- Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
- Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Missouri list
2What they are offering now
Low$17Median$20.88High$25
17 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Missouri, 6 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 17 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental Assistant in TrainingPermanent$15.75–$22.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$21.00–$24.00/ hour
+ 15 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.