Dental Assistant Salary in Maryland (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dental Assistants in Maryland, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$48,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $48,070
State Rank
#19 of 50
6,560 employed here

How much does a Dental Assistant make in Maryland?

A Dental Assistant working in Maryland earns a median salary of $48,620 per year, or about $23.38 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $48,070 for this occupation.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $35,560 while the top 10% make $61,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,600 and $58,820 a year.

Dental Assistant salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,560$17.10
25th percentile (early career)$41,600$20.00
50th percentile (median)$48,620$23.38
75th percentile (experienced)$58,820$28.28
90th percentile (top earners)$61,710$29.67

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories for Dental Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$65,270
2District of Columbia$60,580
3Maine$60,070
4New Hampshire$59,530
5Oregon$59,490

Working as a Dental Assistant in Maryland

Nationally, about 388,000 people work as Dental Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Maryland pay ($48,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dental Assistant make in Maryland?
The median Dental Assistant salary in Maryland is $48,620 per year, or about $23.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,560 at the entry level to $61,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Dental Assistants about 1% more than the national median of $48,070. Maryland ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Dental Assistants?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,620 a year. About 6,560 Dental Assistants are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Dental Assistant salary report

Related salaries

Healthcare Support Worker, All Other

$48,430
median pay · 110,000 employed

Medical Equipment Preparer

$47,700
median pay · 77,000 employed

Phlebotomist

$45,230
median pay · 144,000 employed

Emergency Medical Technician

$44,470
median pay · 181,000 employed

Medical Transcriptionist

$40,410
median pay · 42,000 employed

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

$38,150
median pay · 127,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.