Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Idaho
The median dental assistant earns $45,880 a year in Idaho ($22.06 an hour), with the middle half earning between $39,800 and $57,690.[1]
25th percentile
$39,800
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$45,880
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$57,690
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $45,880 per year or $22.06/hr at the median. Idaho runs about 5% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Idaho
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Idaho earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Idaho hourly | Idaho annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.00 | $37,430 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $19.14 | $39,800 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.06 | $45,880 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $27.74 | $57,690 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.72 | $59,740 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $22.72 | $47,250 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Idaho
2,680
3.12
1.25
How Idaho compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $45,880 in Idaho vs. $48,070 nationally, $2,190 (5%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,430 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $59,740 vs. $62,250, 4% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 24.1% in Idaho vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Idaho
All 7 Idaho metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | $47,710 | $46,020–$53,560 | 310 |
| Lewiston | $47,360 | $45,550–$60,640 | 100 |
| Boise City | $47,250 | $45,640–$59,680 | 1,000 |
| Idaho Falls | $45,110 | $38,770–$46,210 | 360 |
| Pocatello | $44,620 | $37,530–$45,290 | 160 |
| Twin Falls | $44,610 | $38,070–$45,520 | 200 |
| Logan | $35,680 | $32,230–$38,660 | 270 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Idaho
Idaho's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 24.1% over 2024–2034, from 2,640 to 3,270 jobs, with about 440 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Idaho
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Browse open dental assistant roles in Idaho, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Idaho: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Idaho?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Idaho was $45,880 ($22.06 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $39,800 and $57,690. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,430 and the top 10% earned over $59,740.
Do dental assistants in Idaho earn more than the national median?
No. The Idaho median of $45,880 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $2,190 (5%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Idaho metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 7 Idaho metro areas with published BLS data, Coeur d'Alene has the highest median at $47,710 a year. Logan has the lowest, at $35,680.
How many dental assistants work in Idaho?
BLS estimates 2,680 dental assistants were employed in Idaho in May 2025. That is 3.12 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.25, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Idaho?
Idaho's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 24.1% over 2024–2034, from 2,640 to 3,270 jobs. That works out to about 440 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Idaho?
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Other roles in Idaho
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Idaho long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants