Dental Assistant salary in Missouri
Dental Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $21.74 per hour, about $45,220 a year, 4% below the U.S. median of $22.74. The middle half earn between $18.07 and $23.93 per hour. The highest median among Missouri metro areas is in Kansas City, MO-KS, at $22.97 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $21.74median pay per hour
- $45,220median pay per year
- 7,380dental assistants employed in Missouri
- #37of 50 states by median pay
Dental Assistant pay in Missouri: percentiles
| Level | Missouri per hour | Missouri per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.93 | $35,210 | $17.40 |
| Lower quartile | $18.07 | $37,590 | $19.00 |
| Median | $21.74 | $45,220 | $22.74 |
| Upper quartile | $23.93 | $49,770 | $27.36 |
| Top 10% | $27.78 | $57,780 | $29.70 |
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Missouri
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Missouri median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $22.97 | $47,780 | 2,830 | 6% above | $24.82 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $22.70 | $47,220 | 3,400 | 4% above | $23.87 |
| Columbia, MO | $21.56 | $44,850 | 210 | 1% below | $24.11 |
| Springfield, MO | $21.03 | $43,750 | 870 | 3% below | $23.74 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $21.01 | $43,710 | 130 | 3% below | $24.32 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $20.74 | $43,140 | 170 | 5% below | $24.09 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $20.73 | $43,120 | 180 | 5% below | $24.18 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $18.11 | $37,670 | 170 | 17% below | $20.59 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Dental Assistant pay in states next to Missouri
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Missouri |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $18.11 | $37,680 | 17% below Missouri |
| Illinois | $22.80 | $47,430 | 5% above Missouri |
| Iowa | $22.99 | $47,820 | 6% above Missouri |
| Kansas | $19.15 | $39,840 | 12% below Missouri |
| Kentucky | $22.37 | $46,520 | 3% above Missouri |
| Nebraska | $22.44 | $46,660 | 3% above Missouri |
| Oklahoma | $21.37 | $44,450 | 2% below Missouri |
| Tennessee | $22.16 | $46,090 | 2% above Missouri |
What employers are posting in Missouri
- 17roles with published pay
- $20.88median pay per hour
- $17–$24typical published range
- 4employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen Dental | 12 | $20.75 |
| PDS Health | 3 | $18.88 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 1 | $27.90 |
| Smile Brands | 1 | $22 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 17 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Dental Assistant jobs in Missouri · Dental Assistant salary nationwide · Missouri state guide
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Missouri?
The median is $21.74 per hour, about $45,220 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $16.93 and the top 10% earn over $27.78 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Missouri city pays dental assistants the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, Kansas City, MO-KS has the highest median at $22.97 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Missouri rank for dental assistant pay?
Missouri ranks 37th of 50 states by median dental assistant pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay dental assistants? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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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
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.