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Dental assistant salary
Average dental assistant salary
$37,730
Understanding Dental Assistant Salaries
The average dental assistant salary in the United States is approximately $37,730 per year, equating to about $18 per hour. Salaries for dental assistants can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the type of dental practice. For instance, dental assistants in metropolitan areas often earn more than those in rural settings.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level dental assistants typically earn less than those with several years of experience. As professionals gain skills and certifications, their earning potential increases. For example, a dental assistant with over five years of experience can expect a salary closer to $45,000 annually.
Top-Paying States
States like California and New York consistently offer higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and greater demand for dental services. Researching average salaries by state can help prospective dental assistants choose locations that align with their financial goals.
Growth Opportunities
Continuing education and specialization in areas such as orthodontics or oral surgery can lead to higher pay and job stability. As the healthcare industry evolves, dental assistants who pursue additional training will likely find themselves in demand, enhancing their career prospects.
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Where can a Dental Assistant earn more?
Dental assistant salaries by experience level
Dental assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average dental assistant salary by state
The highest-paying states for dental assistants are Alaska, Minnesota, and Massachusetts. The lowest average dental assistant salary states are West Virginia, Louisiana, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for dental assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $45,756 | $22.00 |
| 2 | Oregon | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| 3 | Alaska | $45,905 | $22.07 |
| 4 | Washington | $40,732 | $19.58 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $43,156 | $20.75 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $40,396 | $19.42 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $39,831 | $19.15 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $40,349 | $19.40 |
| 9 | Colorado | $37,839 | $18.19 |
| 10 | Michigan | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| 11 | South Carolina | $36,366 | $17.48 |
| 12 | New York | $39,603 | $19.04 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $41,838 | $20.11 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $37,878 | $18.21 |
| 15 | Maine | $38,157 | $18.34 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $40,481 | $19.46 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $41,446 | $19.93 |
| 18 | Vermont | $40,663 | $19.55 |
| 19 | Arizona | $36,293 | $17.45 |
| 20 | Virginia | $39,343 | $18.91 |
| 21 | Nevada | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| 22 | California | $39,406 | $18.95 |
| 23 | Indiana | $36,282 | $17.44 |
| 24 | Georgia | $35,699 | $17.16 |
| 25 | Iowa | $36,582 | $17.59 |
| 26 | Ohio | $33,770 | $16.24 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $34,605 | $16.64 |
| 28 | Florida | $34,292 | $16.49 |
| 29 | Maryland | $39,581 | $19.03 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $43,052 | $20.70 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $33,535 | $16.12 |
| 32 | Delaware | $38,548 | $18.53 |
| 33 | Illinois | $35,979 | $17.30 |
| 34 | Texas | $33,606 | $16.16 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $34,995 | $16.82 |
| 36 | Kansas | $33,636 | $16.17 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $31,289 | $15.04 |
| 38 | Idaho | $32,975 | $15.85 |
| 39 | Missouri | $31,690 | $15.24 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $32,832 | $15.78 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $31,378 | $15.09 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $29,773 | $14.31 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $31,479 | $15.13 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $30,977 | $14.89 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $36,198 | $17.40 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $31,804 | $15.29 |
| 47 | Utah | $32,032 | $15.40 |
| 48 | Montana | $30,037 | $14.44 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $30,348 | $14.59 |
| 50 | Alabama | $29,541 | $14.20 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $28,202 | $13.56 |
Highest paying cities for dental assistants
The highest-paying cities for dental assistants are Saint Paul, MN, Boston, MA, and Portland, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul, MN | $45,858 | $22.05 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $43,051 | $20.70 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $42,925 | $20.64 |
| 4 | Lawrence, NJ | $41,631 | $20.01 |
| 5 | Vancouver, WA | $41,334 | $19.87 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $39,834 | $19.15 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $39,782 | $19.13 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,179 | $18.84 |
| 9 | Portland, ME | $38,482 | $18.50 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $38,342 | $18.43 |
| 11 | Colorado Springs, CO | $37,967 | $18.25 |
| 12 | Charleston, SC | $36,453 | $17.53 |
| 13 | Tucson, AZ | $36,308 | $17.46 |
| 14 | Des Moines, IA | $36,264 | $17.43 |
| 15 | Washington, DC | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $36,186 | $17.40 |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $36,139 | $17.37 |
| 18 | Columbus, GA | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| 20 | Jacksonville, NC | $35,522 | $17.08 |
Dental Assistants are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Dental assistant salary details
A dental assistant's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a dental assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $37,730 | $3,144 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying dental assistant jobs
The highest paying types of dental assistants are dental officer, dental hygienist, and clerical dentist assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterile Technician | $35,347 | $2,946 | $16.99 | 30,250 |
| Dental Receptionist | $34,359 | $2,863 | $16.52 | 66,076 |
| Dental Technician | $68,232 | $5,686 | $32.80 | 45,536 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,432 | $7,369 | $42.52 | 24,234 |
Top companies hiring dental assistants now:
Which companies pay dental assistants the most?
Dental assistant salaries at Alameda Health System and Children's Hospital Los Angeles are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average dental assistant salary at companies like Private Practice and Highland General Hospital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda Health System | $61,673 | $29.65 |
| 2 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $58,281 | $28.02 |
| 3 | Private Practice | $57,305 | $27.55 |
| 4 | Highland General Hospital | $57,227 | $27.51 |
| 5 | New York University | $56,912 | $27.36 |
| 6 | Mott Children's | $56,827 | $27.32 |
| 7 | Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center | $55,880 | $26.87 |
| 8 | Grand View Health | $55,570 | $26.72 |
| 9 | Children's Hospital Colorado | $55,179 | $26.53 |
| 10 | University of Illinois Springfield | $55,167 | $26.52 |
| 11 | Catholic Health East | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| 12 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $54,477 | $26.19 |
| 13 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $54,471 | $26.19 |
| 14 | Favorite Healthcare Staffing | $54,383 | $26.15 |
| 15 | Fayette Community Hospital Inc | $53,762 | $25.85 |
| 16 | Boston Medical Center | $53,526 | $25.73 |
| 17 | State University of New York College at Cortland | $51,882 | $24.94 |
| 18 | Suncoast Center | $51,817 | $24.91 |
| 19 | Health Alliance | $51,066 | $24.55 |
| 20 | OSF HealthCare | $50,685 | $24.37 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Dental assistant salary trends
The average dental assistant salary has risen by $6,450 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dental assistant earned $31,280 annually, but today, they earn $37,730 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for dental assistants over the last decade.
Compare dental assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average dental assistant salary over time
Compare dental assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Dental assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,700 | $18.14 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $36,700 | $17.65 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $35,400 | $17.03 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $34,500 | $16.58 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $33,800 | $16.27 | +2.6% |
Recently added dental assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistant | Carlsbad, CA | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistant | Tome, NM | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistant | Houston, TX | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistant | Ceiba, PR | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistants | Raleigh, NC | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Doc's Drugs | Dental Assistant | Boise, ID | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Traveling Dental Assistant Orthodontics | Kansas City, KS | 06/29/2025 | $43,827 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Traveling Dental Assistant Periodontics | Miami Shores, FL | 06/29/2025 | $43,827 |
| Searhc | Dental Assistant | Sitka, AK | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| The University of Vermont Health Network | Dental Assistant | Malone, NY | 06/29/2025 | $52,885 |
Dental assistant salary FAQs
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