Median Salary
$48,070
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$23.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$62,250
entry level starts ~$37,130
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 388,000 employed
How much does a Dental Assistant make?
The median pay for a Dental Assistant in the United States is $48,070 per year — about $23.11 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $37,130, while the most experienced Dental Assistants in the top 10% earn $62,250.
That is $13,320 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Dental Assistant salary range by percentile
Half of all Dental Assistants earn between $44,340 and $58,090 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,130 | $17.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,340 | $21.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,070 | $23.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,090 | $27.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,250 | $29.93 |
|
Highest-paying states for Dental Assistant
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Minnesota leads the country for Dental Assistant pay at $65,270 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($60,580) and Maine ($60,070). At the other end, Utah posts the lowest median at $37,760 — a gap of $27,510 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Dental Assistant salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Minnesota $65,270District of Columbia $60,580Maine $60,070New Hampshire $59,530Oregon $59,490Washington $58,090Massachusetts $57,980North Dakota $57,770Alaska $57,710Connecticut $56,850Vermont $52,760North Carolina $50,380Rhode Island $50,150California $50,110New Jersey $49,390Arizona $49,000Michigan $48,820Indiana $48,670Maryland $48,620Illinois $48,610Iowa $48,430Colorado $48,340New York $48,110Ohio $47,970Pennsylvania $47,930South Dakota $47,900Kentucky $47,730Florida $47,620Delaware $47,600Wisconsin $47,520South Carolina $47,320Nevada $47,110Georgia $46,840Tennessee $46,720Montana $46,680Virginia $46,670Nebraska $46,660Missouri $45,970Idaho $45,880Oklahoma $45,740Texas $45,430Wyoming $44,990Hawaii $44,720New Mexico $44,400Louisiana $44,090Arkansas $42,830Mississippi $39,160Alabama $39,080West Virginia $37,960Utah $37,760
Workforce and education
About 388,000 people work as Dental Assistants in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $50,200 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dental Assistant make in the United States?
The median Dental Assistant salary in the United States is $48,070 per year, or about $23.11 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,130, while the top 10% of earners make $62,250 or more.
How does Dental Assistant pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Dental Assistant median of $48,070 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Dental Assistants the most?
Minnesota is the highest-paying state for Dental Assistants, with a median salary of $65,270 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant?
Becoming a Dental Assistant typically requires 6 to 18 months of training. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
How many Dental Assistants work in the United States?
About 388,000 people were employed as Dental Assistants in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.