Dental Assistant salary in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
Dental Assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $44,370 a year ($21.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,830 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 3% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $45,970. There are 3.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,710, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| 25th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Median | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| 75th percentile | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Average (mean) | $43,710 | $21.02 |
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 | $3,697.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,848.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,706.54 |
| Weekly | $853.27 |
| Hourly | $21.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,370 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 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| 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 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,940 | $16.32 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,010 | $29.81 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area is $44,370 a year, or $21.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area earn at least $55,830 a year. The top 25% earn $46,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,200 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $37,840 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Cape Girardeau, MO-IL?
About 150 dental assistants are employed in the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.