Dental Assistant Salary in Cedar City, UT: $37,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Cedar City, UT earns a median $37,224/year (≈ $17.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Cedar City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $37,945 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar City, Utah, the anticipated annual compensation for dental assistants in 2026 averages out to $37,224. This figure reflects a competitive local landscape when contrasted with the national median of $49,579, indicating that dental assistant pay in Cedar City UT typically falls short by nearly 25%. Maintaining a salary range between $29,300 at the 10th percentile and $45,352 at the 90th percentile, these estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, while accounting for regional cost-of-living adjustments. With expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) roles increasingly recognized in Utah, professionals in this field may find opportunities for higher pay compared to general dental assistant rates, ensuring that Cedar City remains appealing to both current and aspiring dental assistants.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,768 | $17.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,224 | $17.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,609 | $20.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,352 | $21.80 |
Median Salary Position
24.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar City
In Cedar City, UT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,052 (2026 est.). At $37,224, the local median is 24.92% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar City Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Cedar City median: $37,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $37,715 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -24.92% less |
Dental Assistants in Cedar City, UT earn a median of $37,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.92% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% below the Utah state average of $37,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar City has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $37,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,945 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,092
2025 BLS Actual
$36,091
2026 Current Est.
$37,224
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Cedar City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,092 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,918 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,942 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,393 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar City metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $30,092 (2019) to $36,091 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,301 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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) | $29,300 – $35,768 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,768 – $37,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,224 – $43,609 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,609 – $45,352 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Cedar City
A modest number of nine dental assistants are currently employed in Cedar City, suggesting a close-knit job market where opportunities can be competitive. With a cost of living index of 98.1, salaries in this area can provide reasonable purchasing power, making Cedar City an attractive option for those looking to enter the field. Various employers, including general dental practices and specialty offices, lead the pay scale, with oral surgery and orthodontics typically offering higher salaries. This variance is driven by factors such as specialty training, EFDA qualifications, and roles that extend beyond traditional duties, like treatment coordinator positions. For dental assistants aiming to enhance their earnings, focusing on obtaining EFDA credentials or considering positions in specialized practices can be smart strategies in Cedar City's evolving job market.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 $36,091 for dental assistantsin the Cedar City 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
Salary data for Cedar City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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