Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Montana
The median dental assistant earns $46,680 a year in Montana ($22.44 an hour), with the middle half earning between $43,820 and $49,920.[1]
25th percentile
$43,820
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$46,680
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$49,920
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $46,680 per year or $22.44/hr at the median. Montana runs about 3% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Montana
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 Montana earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Montana hourly | Montana annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.95 | $37,340 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $21.07 | $43,820 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.44 | $46,680 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $24.00 | $49,920 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $27.84 | $57,900 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $22.68 | $47,180 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Montana
1,450
2.84
1.14
How Montana compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $46,680 in Montana vs. $48,070 nationally, $1,390 (3%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,340 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $57,900 vs. $62,250, 7% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 15% in Montana vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Montana
All 5 Montana metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $49,160 | $47,000–$55,790 | 190 |
| Billings | $47,550 | $39,120–$53,540 | 330 |
| Helena | $46,870 | $45,970–$48,060 | 130 |
| Missoula | $46,550 | $44,830–$49,070 | 210 |
| Great Falls | $46,360 | $43,820–$47,420 | 120 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Montana
Montana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 15% over 2024–2034, from 1,570 to 1,810 jobs, with about 240 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 Montana
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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Dental Assistant salary in Montana: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Montana?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Montana was $46,680 ($22.44 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $43,820 and $49,920. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,340 and the top 10% earned over $57,900.
Do dental assistants in Montana earn more than the national median?
No. The Montana median of $46,680 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $1,390 (3%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Montana metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 5 Montana metro areas with published BLS data, Bozeman has the highest median at $49,160 a year. Great Falls has the lowest, at $46,360.
How many dental assistants work in Montana?
BLS estimates 1,450 dental assistants were employed in Montana in May 2025. That is 2.84 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.14, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Montana?
Montana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 15% over 2024–2034, from 1,570 to 1,810 jobs. That works out to about 240 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Montana?
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Other roles in Montana
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, Montana long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants