Dental assistant earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level dental assistant earnings begin at:

$30.18 per hour

$62,780 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level dental assistant earnings begin at:

$29.51 per hour

$61,370 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level dental assistant earnings begin at:

$27.74 per hour

$57,710 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level dental assistant earnings begin at:

$22.83 per hour

$47,480 per year

10th percentile

Starting level dental assistant earnings begin at:

$19.38 per hour

$40,300 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Dental assistant salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Minnesota $65,270
District of Columbia $60,580
Maine $60,070
New Hampshire $59,530
Oregon $59,490
Washington $58,090
Massachusetts $57,980
North Dakota $57,770
Alaska $57,710
Connecticut $56,850
Vermont $52,760
North Carolina $50,380
Rhode Island $50,150
California $50,110
New Jersey $49,390
Arizona $49,000
Michigan $48,820
Indiana $48,670
Maryland $48,620
Illinois $48,610
Iowa $48,430
Colorado $48,340
New York $48,110
Ohio $47,970
Pennsylvania $47,930
South Dakota $47,900
Kentucky $47,730
Florida $47,620
Delaware $47,600
Wisconsin $47,520
South Carolina $47,320
Nevada $47,110
Georgia $46,840
Tennessee $46,720
Montana $46,680
Virginia $46,670
Nebraska $46,660
Missouri $45,970
Idaho $45,880
Oklahoma $45,740
Texas $45,430
Wyoming $44,990
Hawaii $44,720
New Mexico $44,400
Louisiana $44,090
Arkansas $42,830
Mississippi $39,160
Alabama $39,080
West Virginia $37,960
Utah $37,760
Kansas $35,068
Virgin Islands, U.S. $31,470
Guam $26,750
Puerto Rico $18,300

How much does a Dental Assistant earn?

The number of dental assistants is expected to grow about 25%, which is not as high as the 28% growth in healthcare support jobs. Nonetheless, this career field is expected to grow more than twice as fast as all occupations in the US.

The starting salary of dental assistants greatly depends on many factors, including whether the assistant is certified versus registered, where they are located, and the type of practice they work for. For example, by location, a dental assistant can earn as high as $42,000 working in Minnesota, to as low as $27,000 working in Utah. Additionally, by industry, a dental assistant can make approximately $41,000 working in the Insurance Carriers industry, and about $32,200 in a physician’s office.

Dental Assistant Compensation by Geographical Region

The top paying metropolitan area in the US is in the Bay Area of California. This includes San Francisco, San Mateo, and Redwood City with an average annual dental assistant salary of $49k. Coming in at #2 on the list are Haverhill, North Andover, and Amesbury in Massachusetts at $48k per year.

Not including Puerto Rico, the lowest paying state in the US for dental assistants is Utah with a $28k yearly salary. West Virginia was close behind with an average salary of $29k. While the pay varies between states, something to also consider is a potential lower standard of living.

How do dental assistant salaries compare to similar careers?

Dental assistants earn about the same as related careers in Alaska. On average, they make less than occupational therapist assistants but more than medical secretaries.

Career Median Salary
Occupational therapist assistant salary $54K
Optician salary $58K
Psychiatric technician salary $52K
Ophthalmic medical technician salary $50K
Medical assistant salary $53K
Dental assistant salary $58K
Community health worker salary $52K
Pharmacy technician salary $53K
Psychiatric aide salary $49K
Medical secretary salary $48K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)