Dental Assistants Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

In St. Louis, MO-IL, dental assistants earn a median annual salary of $47,220, which is slightly below the national median of $47,300 for this occupation. The median hourly wage stands at $22.70. When compared to the local area's median household income of $78,225, dental assistants' earnings represent about 60% of the typical household income in the region. This indicates that while dental assistants contribute significantly to household finances, their earnings are typically lower than the median for all occupations in the area.

For entry-level dental assistants, wages start at around the 10th percentile mark, with salaries beginning at approximately $36,760 annually. In contrast, those at the 90th percentile earn about $58,440 per year, demonstrating a substantial range based on experience and skill level. This difference is driven by factors such as years of experience, educational background, specialization skills, and geographical location within the St. Louis metropolitan area. Experienced dental assistants often command higher salaries due to increased proficiency in complex procedures and responsibilities that may include supervising less experienced staff or managing more significant portions of patient care independently.