Dental Assistant salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Dental Assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $49,490 a year ($23.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,780 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $48,340. There are 2.6 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 25th percentile | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Median | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| 75th percentile | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Average (mean) | $51,410 | $24.72 |
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 | $4,124.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,062.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,903.46 |
| Weekly | $951.73 |
| Hourly | $23.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $58,760 | 520 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $49,700 | $23.90 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,320 | $31.40 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Orderly | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $42,520 | $20.44 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $49,490 a year, or $23.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $60,780 a year. The top 25% earn $58,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,870 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,980 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 4,160 dental assistants are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.