What is the average hourly wage for Dental Assistants?

The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants is $20.68 per hour. This translates to approximately $43,010 per year working full-time.

What states pay Dental Assistants the most?

Salaries for Dental Assistants vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a dental assistant?

Typical education required: Associate's degree.

Dental Assistants Salary

Name: Dental Assistants Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$43,010

$20.68 / hour

▲ 14% (Much faster than average)

Salary Range

$22,795 - $73,977

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

351,470

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Dental Assistants Salary by Percentile

$22,795 $73,977

10th pct Median: $43,010 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$22,795	$10.96
25th Percentile	$30,967	$14.89
50th (Median)	$43,010	$20.68
75th Percentile	$59,354	$28.54
90th (Top Earners)	$73,977	$35.57
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Dental Assistants

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$56,773	$27.29
2	California (CA)	$53,763	$25.85
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$52,472	$25.23
4	New York (NY)	$52,472	$25.23
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$51,612	$24.81
6	Connecticut (CT)	$50,752	$24.40
7	Maryland (MD)	$50,752	$24.40
8	Hawaii (HI)	$49,461	$23.78
9	Alaska (AK)	$48,171	$23.16
10	Washington (WA)	$48,171	$23.16
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Dental Assistants

Dental Assistants work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: Associate's degree

Job Outlook for Dental Assistants

Projected Growth

+14%

2022-2032

▲ 14% (Much faster than average)

Annual Job Openings

924,000

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Dental Assistants make?

The median annual salary for Dental Assistants is $43,010 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $22,795, while the top 10% earn $73,977 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Dental Assistants?

Dental Assistants earn a median hourly wage of $20.68 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $43,010 annually.

Is Dental Assistants a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $43,010, Dental Assistants represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Much faster than average (14% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Dental Assistants need?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.