Dental Assistant salary in Grand Junction, CO
Dental Assistants in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn a median of $46,350 a year ($22.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,350 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 4% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $48,340. There are 4.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Grand Junction, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 25th percentile | $40,940 | $19.68 |
| Median | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| 75th percentile | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
| Average (mean) | $46,540 | $22.37 |
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 | $3,862.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,931.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,782.69 |
| Weekly | $891.35 |
| Hourly | $22.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,350 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 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $49,490 | 4,160 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $48,290 | 1,360 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $48,080 | 510 |
| Greeley, CO | $47,270 | 360 |
| 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 Grand Junction, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Massage Therapist | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Phlebotomist | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,140 | $31.32 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Grand Junction, CO metro area is $46,350 a year, or $22.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Grand Junction, CO?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn at least $57,350 a year. The top 25% earn $49,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Grand Junction, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,800 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $40,940 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Grand Junction, CO?
About 300 dental assistants are employed in the Grand Junction, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.