Dental Assistant salary in Idaho
Dental Assistants in Idaho earn a median of $45,880 a year ($22.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,740 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $48,070. Idaho ranks 39th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 3.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Median | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| 75th percentile | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Average (mean) | $47,250 | $22.72 |
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 | $3,823.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,911.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,764.62 |
| Weekly | $882.31 |
| Hourly | $22.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Idaho at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $47,710 | 310 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $47,360 | 100 |
| Boise City, ID | $47,250 | 1,000 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $45,110 | 360 |
| Pocatello, ID | $44,620 | 160 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $44,610 | 200 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $35,680 | 270 |
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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,140 | $18.34 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Orderly | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for dental assistants in Idaho is $45,880 a year, or $22.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Idaho?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Idaho earn at least $59,740 a year. The top 25% earn $57,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,430 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $39,800 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Idaho?
About 2,680 dental assistants are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.