Dental Assistant Salary in Rutland, VT: $47,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Rutland, VT earns a median $47,555/year (≈ $22.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Rutland's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $45,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rutland, Vermont, dental assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,555 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49,579. The salary range for dental assistants in this city varies significantly, from $40,142 at the lower 10th percentile to $57,820 at the top 90th percentile. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, providing a clearer picture of the local job market. For dental assistants specializing in fields such as oral surgery or orthodontics, the potential for higher earnings is evident, making these specializations particularly attractive for new and seasoned professionals alike.
About the Rutland Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,142 | $19.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,651 | $21.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,555 | $22.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,878 | $26.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,820 | $27.80 |
Median Salary Position
4.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rutland
In Rutland, VT, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,678 (2026 est.). At $47,555, the local median is 4.08% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rutland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rutland Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Rutland median: $47,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rutland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $51,300 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $49,579 | -4.08% less |
Dental Assistants in Rutland, VT earn a median of $47,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.08% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.30% below the Vermont state average of $51,300.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rutland has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rutland, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,555 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,947 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,443
2025 BLS Actual
$46,107
2026 Current Est.
$47,555
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rutland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,498 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,081 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rutland metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $38,443 (2019) to $46,107 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,605 (27.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rutland 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) | $40,142 – $45,651 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,651 – $47,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,555 – $55,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,878 – $57,820 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Rutland
With only four dental assistants employed in Rutland, the local job market is quite niche, which can lead to unique opportunities for those seeking roles in high-demand specialties. The cost-of-living index in Rutland stands at 103.5, indicating that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average. Consequently, this affects the purchasing power of residents, including dental assistants. Employers in Rutland vary their pay considerably; while general dental practices may offer salaries closer to the median, those in orthodontic and oral surgery settings typically pay more, taking into account the expertise and responsibilities involved. Factors influencing salary differences include specialization, the presence of Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs), and roles that combine treatment coordination with traditional assistant duties. For dental assistants aiming to maximize their income in Rutland, pursuing certifications such as EFDA can be invaluable, as can seeking positions within larger DSO chains, which tend to provide more structured pay scales and extensive professional development resources.
More salary data for Rutland, VT:
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 $46,107 for dental assistantsin the Rutland 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 Rutland 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