Dental Assistant salary in Missouri
Dental Assistants in Missouri earn a median of $45,970 a year ($22.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,410 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $48,070. Missouri ranks 38th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 25th percentile | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Median | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 75th percentile | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Average (mean) | $46,790 | $22.49 |
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 | $3,830.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,915.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,768.08 |
| Weekly | $884.04 |
| Hourly | $22.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $48,190 | 2,470 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,920 | 220 |
| Springfield, MO | $45,500 | 850 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $44,370 | 150 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $44,090 | 150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $43,500 | 140 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $43,010 | 210 |
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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,440 | $19.44 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for dental assistants in Missouri is $45,970 a year, or $22.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Missouri?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Missouri earn at least $59,410 a year. The top 25% earn $50,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,580 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,990 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Missouri?
About 6,760 dental assistants are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.