PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Independence, MO
$17.00–$20.00/ hour
Dental Assistant jobs in Independence, MO
The median dental assistant pay in the Independence area is $22.97 per hour ($47,780 a year), with the typical range running from $18.56 to $24.24. That ranks 108th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 64th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Independence. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Independence.
- $22.97median pay per hour, Kansas City
- $19–$24typical range per hour
- 2,830dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Dental Assistant roles in Independence
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15+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Independence, MO
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Named employers near Independence, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Independence, MO
The metro median is 6% above the Missouri statewide median of $21.74 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 2,830 dental assistants employed in the Kansas City metro area, 2.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.06).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.18 | $35,730 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.56 | $38,600 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Median | $22.97 | $47,780 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $24.24 | $50,420 | 7% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $28.10 | $58,450 | 24% above U.S. median |
How Independence ranks
- 108th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 64th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st 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 Independence
- Overall prices in Kansas City run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $22.97 median hour buys what $24.82 buys at the national price level, 9% 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 Independence paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$827
- Per year: $41,346
- Per month: $3,446
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Kansas City metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Jackson County
HRSA lists 5 active dental health shortage designations that include Jackson County (1 population-group, 4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs, MO | 7 mi | $22.97/hr | 61,246 |
| Kansas City, MO | 11 mi | $22.97/hr | 516,032 |
| Lawrence, KS | 50 mi | $21.57/hr | 97,271 |
| St. Joseph, MO | 53 mi | $21.01/hr | 71,098 |
| Topeka, KS | 72 mi | $22.23/hr | 125,467 |
| Columbia, MO | 109 mi | $21.56/hr | 130,900 |
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 Independence
Independence city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Independence, MO?
Dental Assistants in the Kansas City metro area have a median pay of $22.97 per hour, about $47,780 a year. The middle half earn between $18.56 and $24.24 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Independence a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Kansas City ranks 64th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 108th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 7% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Independence?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Independence. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Independence.
Do I need a Missouri license to work in Independence 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 Independence in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 5 active dental health shortage designations that include Jackson 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 Independence?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Independence and across Missouri. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Independence.
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What do employers near Independence 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.