Dental Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Dental Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $48,120 a year ($23.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,530 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 5% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $45,970. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| 25th percentile | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Median | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| 75th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Average (mean) | $49,660 | $23.87 |
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 | $4,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,005 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,850.77 |
| Weekly | $925.38 |
| Hourly | $23.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $48,190 | 2,470 |
| Decatur, IL | $47,770 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,410 | 380 |
| Peoria, IL | $47,280 | 300 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $47,120 | 180 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,920 | 220 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,750 | 190 |
| Bloomington, IL | $46,390 | 140 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,970 | 530 |
| Kankakee, IL | $45,610 | 60 |
| Springfield, MO | $45,500 | 850 |
| Springfield, IL | $45,390 | 360 |
| 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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,110 | $18.81 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,250 | $14.06 |
| Orderly | $35,620 | $17.13 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $48,120 a year, or $23.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $60,530 a year. The top 25% earn $58,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,780 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,110 or less.
How many dental assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,990 dental assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.