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Registered dental assistant salary
Average registered dental assistant salary
$38,145
Average Registered Dental Assistant Salary
The average salary for a Registered Dental Assistant stands at $38,145 annually, translating to approximately $18 per hour. Factors such as experience level, state, and specific job responsibilities significantly affect earnings. For instance, entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals can earn notably higher. This role is essential in dental practices, contributing to patient care and office management.
Where Can Registered Dental Assistants Earn More?
Increased salaries are often found in urban areas or states with higher living costs. For example, cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles offer competitive pay rates that surpass the national average. Additionally, states such as California and Texas are known for their higher compensation packages.
Experience and Salary Growth
As Registered Dental Assistants gain experience, their earning potential typically increases. Many professionals see salary growth as they acquire additional certifications or specialize in certain areas of dental care. This upward trajectory makes it a promising career choice for those interested in the healthcare field.
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Where can a Registered Dental Assistant earn more?
Registered dental assistant salaries by experience level
Average registered dental assistant salary by state
The highest-paying states for registered dental assistants are Minnesota, Alaska, and Oregon. The lowest average registered dental assistant salary states are Montana, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for registered dental assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $47,799 | $22.98 |
| 2 | Oregon | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| 3 | Alaska | $45,913 | $22.07 |
| 4 | Washington | $42,059 | $20.22 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $43,125 | $20.73 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $40,413 | $19.43 |
| 7 | New York | $41,851 | $20.12 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $38,945 | $18.72 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $42,231 | $20.30 |
| 10 | Michigan | $37,195 | $17.88 |
| 11 | Maine | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $40,405 | $19.43 |
| 13 | Indiana | $37,009 | $17.79 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $42,961 | $20.65 |
| 15 | Colorado | $38,394 | $18.46 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $40,254 | $19.35 |
| 17 | South Carolina | $36,275 | $17.44 |
| 18 | California | $40,482 | $19.46 |
| 19 | Vermont | $40,822 | $19.63 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $41,459 | $19.93 |
| 21 | Nevada | $36,312 | $17.46 |
| 22 | Virginia | $39,251 | $18.87 |
| 23 | Arizona | $36,317 | $17.46 |
| 24 | Iowa | $37,633 | $18.09 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $34,575 | $16.62 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $34,652 | $16.66 |
| 27 | Georgia | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| 28 | Illinois | $36,854 | $17.72 |
| 29 | Maryland | $39,541 | $19.01 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $42,289 | $20.33 |
| 31 | Florida | $34,288 | $16.48 |
| 32 | Ohio | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| 33 | Delaware | $38,357 | $18.44 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $35,042 | $16.85 |
| 35 | Kansas | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| 36 | Idaho | $33,954 | $16.32 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $32,876 | $15.81 |
| 38 | Missouri | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $31,420 | $15.11 |
| 40 | Texas | $32,271 | $15.51 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $32,832 | $15.78 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $31,643 | $15.21 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $32,701 | $15.72 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $29,866 | $14.36 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $36,132 | $17.37 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $31,155 | $14.98 |
| 47 | Utah | $32,352 | $15.55 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $30,226 | $14.53 |
| 49 | Montana | $31,399 | $15.10 |
| 50 | Alabama | $29,442 | $14.15 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $28,098 | $13.51 |
Highest paying cities for registered dental assistants
The highest-paying cities for registered dental assistants are Arlington, MA, Seattle, WA, and San Rafael, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington, MA | $42,921 | $20.64 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $42,387 | $20.38 |
| 3 | San Rafael, CA | $42,097 | $20.24 |
| 4 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $32,716 | $15.73 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City, OK | $29,847 | $14.35 |
Registered dental assistant salary details
A registered dental assistant's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $51,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a registered dental assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $38,145 | $3,179 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying registered dental assistant jobs
The highest paying types of registered dental assistants are dental officer, clerical dentist assistant, and dental nurse.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Nurse | $81,113 | $6,759 | $39.00 | 35,787 |
| Dental Technician | $68,232 | $5,686 | $32.80 | 45,536 |
Top companies hiring registered dental assistants now:
Which companies pay registered dental assistants the most?
Registered dental assistant salaries at Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center and University of California, Berkeley are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average registered dental assistant salary at companies like University of Southern California and Holston Medical Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center | $55,202 | $26.54 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $49,564 | $23.83 |
| 3 | University of Southern California | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| 4 | Holston Medical Group | $46,615 | $22.41 |
| 5 | Arkansas Children's Hospital | $46,396 | $22.31 |
| 6 | UCI Health | $44,151 | $21.23 |
| 7 | HealthRIGHT 360 | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| 8 | La Jolla Pharmaceutical | $42,154 | $20.27 |
| 9 | My Community Dental Centers | $41,975 | $20.18 |
| 10 | Community Dental Services Inc | $41,814 | $20.10 |
| 11 | Smile Programs | $41,481 | $19.94 |
| 12 | Cooper University Health Care | $41,159 | $19.79 |
| 13 | True Care Home Care | $39,958 | $19.21 |
| 14 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $39,956 | $19.21 |
| 15 | SAC Health | $39,939 | $19.20 |
| 16 | AltaMed Health Services | $39,856 | $19.16 |
| 17 | Clear Choice Health Care | $39,482 | $18.98 |
| 18 | The Family Health Centers of Asheville | $39,193 | $18.84 |
| 19 | Clinica Sierra Vista | $38,641 | $18.58 |
| 20 | California Dental Association | $38,571 | $18.54 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Registered dental assistant salary trends
The average registered dental assistant salary has risen by $6,521 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average registered dental assistant earned $31,624 annually, but today, they earn $38,145 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for registered dental assistants over the last decade.
Compare registered dental assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average registered dental assistant salary over time
Compare registered dental assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Registered dental assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,100 | $18.34 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $37,100 | $17.85 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $35,800 | $17.22 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $34,900 | $16.76 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $34,200 | $16.45 | +2.6% |
Recently added registered dental assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job Listingsmarin Community Clinics | Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant | San Rafael, CA | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Texas A&M University | Registered Dental Assistant (Levels I-III)-Comprehensive Dentistry | Dallas, TX | 06/28/2025 | $37,107 |
| Mosaicdentalcollective | Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)-Brothers Dental and Implants | San Francisco, CA | 06/28/2025 | $50,088 |
| Northwell Health | Registered Dental Assistant | Great Neck, NY | 06/27/2025 | $44,450 |
| Dental Office | Registered Dental Assistant | Glendale, CA | 06/27/2025 | $54,262 |
| Health and Life Organization | Registered Dental Assistant II | Sacramento, CA | 06/26/2025 | $57,393 |
| High End Hiring | Registered Dental Assistant | Irvine, CA | 06/26/2025 | $56,349 |
| Smile Brands | Registered Dental Assistant | Houston, TX | 06/25/2025 | $37,566 |
| Smile Brands | Registered Dental Assistant | Franklin, TN | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| DAP Health | Registered Dental Assistant | Nuevo, CA | 06/25/2025 | $51,027 |
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