Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest information regarding dental assistant salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Alaska offers the highest dental assistant salary at $45,905.
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Mississippi has the lowest dental assistant salary at $28,202.
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The national average salary for dental assistants stands at $37,730.
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The national hourly wage for dental assistants is $18.14.
For more details, refer to the specific methodology.
Background
Research consistently shows that salary remains the top priority for job seekers in various demographics. A common question among prospective dental assistants is: how much can I expect to earn in my state?
While individual salaries can vary based on various factors, reliable data on average salaries for dental assistants by state—differentiated by seniority level—provides a useful benchmark. Understanding these averages can give you a realistic expectation of your potential earnings as a dental assistant.
Currently, the state with the highest salary for dental assistants is Alaska.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for dental assistant salaries:
Now, let’s explore how these salaries rank across all states.
Highest-Paid Dental Assistants By State
| Rank | State | Average Dental Assistant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $45,905 | $38,000 | $55,000 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $45,756 | $32,000 | $63,000 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $43,156 | $29,000 | $62,000 |
| 4 | Oregon | $43,100 | $31,000 | $58,000 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $43,052 | $35,000 | $51,000 |
| 6 | Wyoming | $41,838 | $31,000 | $55,000 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $41,446 | $27,000 | $63,000 |
| 8 | Washington | $40,732 | $30,000 | $54,000 |
| 9 | Vermont | $40,663 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $40,481 | $27,000 | $59,000 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $40,396 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $40,349 | $26,000 | $60,000 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $39,831 | $29,000 | $54,000 |
| 14 | New York | $39,603 | $26,000 | $60,000 |
| 15 | Maryland | $39,581 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| 16 | California | $39,406 | $28,000 | $54,000 |
| 17 | Virginia | $39,343 | $26,000 | $59,000 |
| 18 | Delaware | $38,548 | $25,000 | $59,000 |
| 19 | Maine | $38,157 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $37,878 | $24,000 | $57,000 |
| 21 | Colorado | $37,839 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 22 | Iowa | $36,582 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| 23 | Michigan | $36,540 | $24,000 | $53,000 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $36,366 | $26,000 | $49,000 |
| 25 | Arizona | $36,293 | $26,000 | $49,000 |
| 26 | Indiana | $36,282 | $25,000 | $51,000 |
| 27 | Illinois | $35,979 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 28 | Nevada | $35,700 | $26,000 | $48,000 |
| 29 | Georgia | $35,699 | $26,000 | $48,000 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $34,995 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $34,605 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 32 | Florida | $34,292 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 33 | Ohio | $33,770 | $22,000 | $49,000 |
| 34 | Kansas | $33,636 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| 35 | Texas | $33,606 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $33,535 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 37 | Idaho | $32,975 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $32,832 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 39 | Utah | $32,032 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $31,804 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 41 | Missouri | $31,690 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $31,479 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $31,378 | $22,000 | $43,000 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $31,289 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $30,977 | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $30,348 | $22,000 | $40,000 |
| 47 | Montana | $30,037 | $22,000 | $39,000 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $29,773 | $22,000 | $39,000 |
| 49 | Alabama | $29,541 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $28,202 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
Methodology: Dental Assistant Salary By State
To provide a clear picture of dental assistant salaries by state, Zippia has gathered data from multiple sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We enhance this data with actual salary listings found in job postings. This information is then analyzed to generate a weighted average salary for dental assistants across states.
The average annual salary data for dental assistants across these estimates is used to rank each state, with the highest salary ranking indicating the best compensation for dental assistants.
Dental Assistant Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for dental assistants?
The highest-paid state for dental assistants is Alaska, with an average salary of $45,905 per year.
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What city pays dental assistants the most?
Saint Paul, MN offers the highest salary for dental assistants at $45,858 annually.
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What is the lowest-paying state for dental assistants?
The lowest-paying state for dental assistants is Mississippi, with an average salary of $28,202 per year.
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.
