Dental Assistant salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Dental Assistants in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $48,190 a year ($23.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,530 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 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,870, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| 25th percentile | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Median | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 75th percentile | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Average (mean) | $47,870 | $23.02 |
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 | $4,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,853.46 |
| Weekly | $926.73 |
| Hourly | $23.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,190 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,120 | 2,990 |
| Columbia, MO | $46,920 | 220 |
| Topeka, KS | $46,780 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $45,500 | 850 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Massage Therapist | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,780 | $15.76 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,580 | $31.53 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $71,050 | $34.16 |
| Orderly | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $25,280 | $12.15 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $48,190 a year, or $23.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $59,530 a year. The top 25% earn $53,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,190 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $39,140 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 2,470 dental assistants are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.