Highest-Paying Dental Assistant Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government and company data, along with thousands of job postings, to generate updated average salary estimates for dental assistant positions across the United States as of 2026. This analysis highlights the highest-paying roles within the dental assistant field based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings concerning the top-paying types of dental assistants:
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Dental Officer remains the highest-paid position for a dental assistant, boasting an average salary of $88,980 and an average hourly rate of $42.78.
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The second highest-paying role is Dental Hygienist, with an average salary of $88,432.
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The average salary for a dental assistant is $37,730 per year, translating to an average hourly wage of $18.14.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging. While salary is an important consideration, it should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process. For those aspiring to become dental assistants, understanding the highest-paying roles can aid in planning your career trajectory effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various dental assistant positions:
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Dental Officer
Average Salary: $88,980
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Dental Hygienist
Average Salary: $88,432
Dental hygienists provide preventive oral care under a dentist’s supervision, often treating minor oral health issues. Their responsibilities include cleaning teeth, checking for signs of damage and disease, providing after-care recommendations, and educating patients about proper oral hygiene and its connection to nutrition.
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Clerical Dentist Assistant
Average Salary: $82,890
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Dental Technician
Average Salary: $68,232
Dental Technicians create dental prosthetics, such as crowns and dentures, according to dentists’ specifications, and also handle repairs and modifications of these devices.
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Surgical Assistant
Average Salary: $52,170
A Surgical Assistant provides vital support during surgeries by maintaining a sterile environment and assisting surgeons with various tasks according to their directives.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average pay across various dental assistant roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Dental Assistants
Methodology
The Zippia team utilizes publicly available information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate salary estimates.
Additionally, our data science team reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information specific to dental assistants.
Following data collection, we calculate a weighted average for each job title to provide accurate salary estimates. For more details on our methodology, please read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Dental Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid dental assistant job?
The highest-paid dental assistant job is a dental officer. Dental Officers earn an average salary of $88,980, which translates to $42.78 per hour.
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What is a good salary for a dental assistant?
A good salary for a dental assistant is $37,730 or more. With the average dental assistant salary at $37,730, those earning this amount or more are considered to be above average. However, salaries can vary significantly based on location due to the cost of living.
If you are starting your career as a dental assistant, the average entry-level salary is approximately $36,661. Therefore, it is important not to judge your salary by the average figure, as it encompasses all experience levels.
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Do Dental Assistant jobs pay well?
Dental assistant jobs can vary in pay. While some dental assistant roles offer higher salaries, the average annual salary of $37,730 is lower than the national average of around $44,225.
However, many dental assistant positions have significant earning potential, particularly within the top 10%, who earn an average of $38,284 annually. Salary levels are influenced by experience, industry, and geographic location, so it’s advisable to research pay rates in your area and negotiate accordingly.
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Where do dental assistants get paid the most?
Dental assistants earn the highest salaries in Minnesota. In Minnesota, dental assistants have an average annual salary of $45,756, which is about $22.00 per hour.
The states following Minnesota with high-paying dental assistant roles include Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, with average salaries of $43,100, $45,905, and $40,732 respectively.
The cities with the highest dental assistant salaries are:
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Saint Paul, MN – $45,858
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Boston, MA – $43,051
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Portland, OR – $42,925
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
