Here is how the average U.S. inflation rate compares to the average annual dental assistant salary from 2017 until 2021, the last year salary data was available:
2021
Average annual salary: $42,510
Inflation rate: 4.7 percent
2020
Average annual salary: $42,310
Inflation rate: 1.2 percent
2019
Average annual salary: $41,170
Inflation rate: 1.8 percent
2018
Average annual salary: $39,770
Inflation rate: 2.4 percent
2017
Average annual salary: $38,690
Inflation rate: 2.1 percent