SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Elkhart
Elkhart-Goshen, IN · 10 metro areas compared
In Elkhart, IN the median wage for Dental Assistants is $52,830 a year, which is 9.9% higher than the national figure of $48,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Elkhart, IN the median wage for Dental Assistants is $52,830 a year, which is 9.9% higher than the national figure of $48,070. Half of workers earn between $48,560 and $58,300. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,300 and the ninetieth at $72,250.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.50 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Indianapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,970. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 142nd of 307 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,300 | −22.4% |
| 25th | $48,560 | +1.0% |
| Median (50th) | $52,830 | +9.9% |
| 75th | $58,300 | +21.3% |
| 90th | $72,250 | +50.3% |
| Mean | $54,820 | +14.0% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indianapolis | $48,970 | 2,200 | |
| 2 | Michigan City | $48,920 | 80 | |
| 3 | Lafayette | $48,730 | 190 | |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | $48,670 | 630 | |
| 5 | Kokomo | $48,360 | 140 | |
| 6 | Bloomington | $48,170 | 130 | |
| 7 | Evansville | $48,000 | 300 | |
| 8 | South Bend | $47,770 | 360 | |
| 9 | Columbus | $47,260 | 120 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $46,450 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Elkhart run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $52,830 goes as far as $56,624 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,624US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,830 a year, 9.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,300 to $72,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Indianapolis, at $48,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Elkhart, IN?
The median annual wage is $52,830, or $25.40 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in Elkhart, IN is 9.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Elkhart, IN earns more than $72,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Indianapolis, at $48,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Elkhart, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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