SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Southwest Minnesota
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Southwest Minnesota, MN is $59,650 per year, 24.1% above the national median of $48,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Southwest Minnesota, MN is $59,650 per year, 24.1% above the national median of $48,070. Pay ranges from under $49,870 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,710 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,750 to $61,320.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.2 of every thousand jobs. Minneapolis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $72,370. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 151st of 331 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,870 | +3.7% |
| 25th | $50,750 | +5.6% |
| Median (50th) | $59,650 | +24.1% |
| 75th | $61,320 | +27.6% |
| 90th | $64,710 | +34.6% |
| Mean | $57,970 | +20.6% |
Other metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $72,370 | 3,910 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $63,450 | 320 | |
| 3 | Mankato | $61,010 | 120 | |
| 4 | St. Cloud | $61,000 | 270 | |
| 5 | Duluth | $59,390 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $59,650 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$59,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,497US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,650 a year, 24.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,870 to $64,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minneapolis, at $72,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Southwest Minnesota, MN?
The median annual wage is $59,650, or $28.68 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 Southwest Minnesota, MN is 24.1% 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 Southwest Minnesota, MN earns more than $64,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,870 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 Minneapolis, at $72,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Minnesota, MN. 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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