Dental Assistant Salary in Fargo, ND: $58,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Fargo, ND earns a median $58,728/year (≈ $28.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $64,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.8% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $58,728 in 2026, dental assistants in Fargo, North Dakota, will find their compensation notably above the national average of $49,579. The salary range is quite expansive, with lower earners earning around $46,722 and top earners reaching up to $72,662. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, indicate a competitive environment for dental professionals. The rise of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) in the region contributes to a structured pay-scale system, offering consistent compensation across various practice types. In comparison, solo and small group practices offer more flexibility, potentially affecting salaries but allowing for personalized career paths in this vibrant dental market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,722 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,239 | $23.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,728 | $28.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,843 | $29.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,662 | $34.93 |
Median Salary Position
18.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,940 (2026 est.). At $58,728, the local median is 18.45% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Fargo median: $58,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $45,596 | +28.80% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +18.45% more |
Dental Assistants in Fargo, ND earn a median of $58,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.45% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 28.80% above the North Dakota state average of $45,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $58,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,628 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,440
2025 BLS Actual
$56,940
2026 Current Est.
$58,728
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 22.6% from $46,440 (2019) to $56,940 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,132 (30.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,722 – $48,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,239 – $58,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,728 – $61,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,843 – $72,662 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Fargo
Fargo's local job market is robust, with approximately 330 dental assistants currently employed in the area. Given the relatively low cost-of-living index of 90.871, the purchasing power for dental assistants can be favorable despite variations in earnings. Highest-paying opportunities typically come from larger DSOs like Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental, which may not only standardize salaries but also offer additional benefits. The disparity in earnings often stems from factors such as specialties, where roles in orthodontics and oral surgery command higher salaries compared to general dentistry. DAs holding Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials can also see an increase in earnings, making it advantageous to pursue such certifications in states that allow them. For dental assistants looking to maximize their pay in Fargo, pursuing specialized education, aligning with larger practice networks, and exploring DA-to-RDH bridge pathways could be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $56,940 for dental assistantsin the Fargo metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov