Dental Assistant salary in Columbus, IN
Dental Assistants in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $47,260 a year ($22.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,850 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $48,670. There are 2.4 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 25th percentile | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| Median | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| 75th percentile | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Average (mean) | $47,740 | $22.95 |
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 | $3,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,969.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,817.69 |
| Weekly | $908.85 |
| Hourly | $22.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $52,830 | 160 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,970 | 2,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,920 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $48,730 | 190 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,670 | 630 |
| Kokomo, IN | $48,360 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,170 | 130 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,000 | 300 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,450 | 110 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,500 | 140 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,080 | $15.91 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,140 | $29.39 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Columbus, IN metro area is $47,260 a year, or $22.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $56,850 a year. The top 25% earn $49,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,760 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,600 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Columbus, IN?
About 120 dental assistants are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.