Dental Assistants Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $44,850 -5.2% vs national
Median hourly $21.56
10th percentile $35,480
90th percentile $57,210
Employed locally 210
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,480
    25th
    $36,800
    50th (median)
    $44,850
    75th
    $46,620
    90th
    $57,210

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 65% Median Dental Assistants salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,080
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $57,340
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $51,540
    Vermont $51,020
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $50,920

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,300
    Nursing Assistants$40,120
    Medical Assistants$37,590
    Medical Equipment Preparers$46,170
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$35,190
    Physical Therapist Assistants$60,700

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Columbia, MO is $21.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.67 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Columbia, MO is 5.2% below the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Columbia?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $35,480 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,800.