Dental Assistant salary in Boulder, CO
Dental Assistants in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $58,760 a year ($28.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,010 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 22% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $48,340. There are 2.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,560, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| 25th percentile | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Median | $58,760 | $28.25 |
| 75th percentile | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Average (mean) | $55,560 | $26.71 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,896.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,448.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,260 |
| Weekly | $1,130 |
| Hourly | $28.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $49,490 | 4,160 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $48,290 | 1,360 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $48,080 | 510 |
| Greeley, CO | $47,270 | 360 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $46,350 | 300 |
| Pueblo, CO | $45,710 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Massage Therapist | $71,870 | $34.55 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $54,110 | $26.01 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,300 | $19.85 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $44,150 | $21.22 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Orderly | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,440 | $18.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Boulder, CO metro area is $58,760 a year, or $28.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $73,010 a year. The top 25% earn $59,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,530 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,090 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Boulder, CO?
About 520 dental assistants are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.