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The median pay for a dental assistant was $47,300 per year in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If someone is looking for a career in the medical field, but doesn’t want to commit many years and a significant amount of money to medical school, they may want to look into becoming a dental assistant. This career involves less schooling than one would have to pursue to become a dentist, but can offer a stable and rewarding career path.
Keep reading for more insight into what it’s like to work as a dental assistant and what this career’s earning potential can be.
Key Points
• The median annual salary for dental assistants in the U.S. is approximately $47,300, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Dental assistant salaries can vary widely, with some earning less than $36,190 and others making over $61,780 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
• Salaries tend to be higher in urban areas and states with a higher cost of living, while rural areas may offer lower compensation.
• Dental assistants can work in various settings, including private dental practices, hospitals, and public health clinics, each with different pay scales and benefits.
• The job outlook for dental assistants is positive, with a projected growth rate that is faster than the average for all occupations.
What Are Dental Assistants?
A dental assistant is a healthcare professional who assists dentists in caring for their patients and with general administrative tasks.
Typically, they have completed training as a dental assistant after high school, meaning this can be a potential good job without a college degree.
These are some common responsibilities of dental assistants:
• Scheduling patient appointments for efficient management
• Collaborating with patients on medical billing and payment matters
• Providing instructions to patients on proper oral hygiene practices
• Preparing both patients and the work area for various treatments and procedures
• Sterilizing dental instruments to maintain hygiene standards
• Ensuring the comfort of patients in the dental chair
• Assisting dentists by handing them instruments during procedures
• Using suction hoses and other equipment to dry patients’ mouths
• Processing x-rays and performing lab tasks under the dentist’s guidances
• Maintaining records of dental treatments for accurate documentation.
As you may have noticed, this job requires a good degree of interaction with coworkers and patients. For this reason, it may be a good fit for those who consider themselves a “people person” and not a great career for an introvert.
Also, it’s important to note that the exact role of a dental assistant can vary based on the state they are working in. This is due to varying state regulations.
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How Much Do Starting Dental Assistants Make a Year?
Understandably, entry-level salaries for dental assistants tend to be less than those for their more experienced counterparts. In terms of how much money a dental assistant makes when they first start their career, here are some numbers: As of 2024, the lowest 10% of workers in this role earned less than $36,190.
However, they can expect to earn more competitive pay over time, as the highest 10% in this role earned more than $61,780.
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What Is the Average Salary for a Dental Assistant?
The median annual pay for a dental assistant is $47,300, while the median hourly pay rate for this work is $22.74 per hour as of 2024. The following chart illustrates how greatly this wage can vary on a state level.
| State | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,600 |
| Alaska | $54,720 |
| Arizona | $50,040 |
| Arkansas | $40,730 |
| California | $53,570 |
| Colorado | $50,440 |
| Connecticut | $51,540 |
| Delaware | $47,110 |
| Florida | $46,670 |
| Georgia | $45,510 |
| Hawaii | $42,130 |
| Idaho | $42,710 |
| Illinois | $47,170 |
| Indiana | $49,590 |
| Iowa | $49,020 |
| Kansas | $42,490 |
| Kentucky | $45,720 |
| Louisiana | $41,450 |
| Maine | $54,190 |
| Maryland | $50,410 |
| Massachusetts | $56,790 |
| Michigan | $45,990 |
| Minnesota | $63,680 |
| Mississippi | $40,160 |
| Missouri | $45,390 |
| Montana | $45,930 |
| Nebraska | $46,300 |
| Nevada | $47,320 |
| New Hampshire | $52,850 |
| New Jersey | $50,570 |
| New Mexico | $42,290 |
| New York | $49,850 |
| North Carolina | $49,270 |
| North Dakota | $54,720 |
| Ohio | $50,960 |
| Oklahoma | $42,980 |
| Oregon | $57,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,760 |
| Rhode Island | $51,700 |
| South Carolina | $45,890 |
| South Dakota | $49,080 |
| Tennessee | $46,680 |
| Texas | $42,520 |
| Utah | $40,260 |
| Vermont | $54,570 |
| Virginia | $47,900 |
| Washington | $56,140 |
| West Virginia | $39,280 |
| Wisconsin | $49,240 |
| Wyoming | $43,740 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Dental Assistant Job Considerations for Pay & Benefits
The majority of dental assistants work in a dentist’s office (90%), but some do work in the offices of physicians (2%) or for the government (2%). As of 2024, dental assistants held about 381,900 jobs and worked under the supervision of dentists.
There are some safety concerns (primarily contracting infectious diseases) that come with this role, which is why dental assistants wear protective clothing and equipment. Being exposed to x-ray machines also comes with concerns, but again, there are safety procedures in place to help protect dental assistants.
Because many dental assistants work full-time, they can qualify for employer-sponsored benefits like healthcare, retirement plans, and paid time off. However, if they only work part-time, they might not qualify for benefits.
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Pros and Cons of Dental Assistant Salary
Still on the fence about working as a dental assistant? Here are some of the pros and cons of the role:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
• High earning potential (top 10% earn more than $61,780) • Around 52,900 openings for dental assistants projected annually • Full-time employees are likely to receive benefits • Minimal schooling required |
• Bottom 10% earn less than $36,190 • Tiring work with some potential health risks • Some dental offices only offer part-time work |
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The Takeaway
The median salary for a dental assistant is $47,300, but as they gain work experience, these medical workers can expect to earn more. Because minimal schooling is required to become a dental assistant, many in this field can avoid taking on too much student loan debt.
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FAQ
Can you make 100K a year as a dental assistant?
Most dental assistants don’t earn $100,000 per year. The top 10% of earners in this field can earn around $61,780, but the median annual salary is just $47,300.
Do people like being a dental assistant?
Some people find working as a dental assistant to be an engaging and fulfilling career. Because most of their days are spent on patient care, they must enjoy spending time with people. This won’t be an enjoyable role for someone who is an introvert or who is antisocial.
Is it hard to get hired as a dental assistant?
There are more than 52,000 jobs for dental assistants available each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on your location and other factors, it may not be hard to get hired as a dental assistant.
Photo credit: iStock/mladenbalinovac
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