How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make in Montana in 2026?

A typical Dental Assistant in Montana earns about $22.44 per hour ($46,680 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That annual total translates to roughly $3,890 per month for full-time staff. On a shorter horizon, weekly earnings calculate to approximately $898 from the annual figure. These figures reflect steady full-time compensation across dental practices statewide.

State pay sits 3 percent below the national benchmark of $48,070 per year, or $23.11 hourly. This difference places Montana at 35th among all 50 states for dental assistant wages. Lower pay usually tracks lower living costs found across much of the state. Approximately 1,450 dental assistants work across Montana, providing clinical support in communities of all sizes.

Entry-level positions in Montana typically offer around $17.95 per hour, which equals $37,340 annually. New graduates and assistants starting their first clinical roles usually begin in this lower wage range. Pay steadily moves toward the state typical rate of $22.44 per hour within a few years of hands-on practice. Assistants often reach $43,820 annually as they build chairside speed and clinical familiarity.

Experienced dental assistants often earn upwards of $24.00 per hour, or $49,920 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $27.84 per hour, totaling more than $57,900 each year. This creates an overall entry-to-top spread of $20,560 across the state workforce. Differences in practice setting, years of chairside experience, expanded duty credentials, and local city living costs tend to separate these wage tiers.

In 2015, dental assistants in Montana earned a typical annual wage of $34,110. By 2025, that annual wage reached $46,680, reflecting a steady upward path over ten years. This progress represents a total dollar gain of $12,570. Overall, compensation across the state saw an increase of 37 percent across the decade.

Montana's wage growth surpassed the national decade rise of 34 percent over the identical period. Much of that statewide acceleration occurred after 2022 as practices adjusted clinical pay scales. For someone entering the profession now, historical data shows that dental assistant pay has moved up steadily over time. Past trends indicate healthy wage progression in recent years, though future compensation depends on broader economic conditions.

City figures cover each city's full metropolitan area. Bozeman leads the state in compensation, where dental assistants earn a typical wage of $49,160 per year, or $23.63 hourly. That figure sits 5 percent above the statewide benchmark. Billings also reports pay above the state mark, with typical earnings reaching $47,550 annually, while Helena follows closely at $46,870.

Great Falls reports the lowest typical pay among evaluated areas at $46,360 per year, or $22.29 hourly. Across all five metropolitan areas, the resulting city spread is $2,800 between the highest and lowest paying markets. Billings maintains the largest dental assistant workforce in the state, employing 330 professionals at an hourly rate of $22.86. Higher wages in markets like Bozeman typically reflect elevated local living expenses rather than differing clinical duties.

Montana's typical annual wage of $46,680 sits near the middle of regional earnings. North Dakota pays substantially more at $57,770 annually, running 24 percent above Montana. South Dakota also offers slightly higher earnings at $47,900. Conversely, Idaho pays slightly less at $45,880, while Wyoming reports regional low pay at $44,990 annually, which is 4 percent below Montana. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

Dental assistants in Montana currently take home a typical annual wage of $46,680, or $22.44 per hour. This follows a solid 37 percent rise in statewide compensation over the past ten years. For those planning a career path, reviewing the state licensing or registry board provides exact clinical requirements and credentialing pathways. Checking individual city pages offers deeper insight into localized earnings and hiring conditions across Montana.