How much does a dental assistant make and is becoming a dental assistant worth it? 

 

Below, we’re sharing the results of our research, along with your expected hourly and yearly dental assistant salary, and a breakdown by salaries by state!

Salaries for entry-level dental assistant positions range anywhere from $26,000 to $42,000 per year depending on geographic location. Learn more about dental assistant starting pay.

West coast hourly salary for dental assistants is $20.81 in California, midwest is around $20.22, in the South, it is $16.05/hr and East coast salaries are $21.26 in Virginia.

West coast annual salary for dental assistants range from $32,000 (UT) to $46,000 (OR) while Midwest is around $37,000 (KS) to $52,000 (MN). As for the South Coast, it’s between $32,000 (MS) to $39,000 (FL) and $40,000 (NY) to $49,000 (NH) in the East Coast.

 

 

Dental assistants working in cosmetic dentistry make $40,080 annually according to  2019 BLS data.

Dental assistants working in surgical hospitals make $43,860 annually according to 2019 BLS data.

 

If you’re a dental assistant, you may be wondering about how your salary stacks up against hygienists. Let's compare!

 

When comparing median salaries across the U.S., hygienists make over 52% more than assistants. That may seem like a lot, but there are definitely more requirements for becoming a hygienist.

 

So if you’re wondering, how can I make more money as a dental assistant, the answer really is, get more education and become a hygienist.

 

West coast hourly salary for dental assistants is $20.81/hr in California and $51.08/hr for dental hygienists. Midwest is around $20.22/hr for dental assistants in Indiana and $32.88/hr for dental hygienists. In the South, it is $16.05/hr for dental assistants in Louisiana and $31.71 for dental hygienists. As for the East coast, salaries are $21.26/hr for dental assistants in Virginia and $38.16 for dental hygienists.

 

West coast hourly salary for dental assistants is $21.94/hr in Washington and $21.04/hr for medical assistants. Midwest is around $25.10/hr for dental assistants in Minnesota and $20.05/hr for medical assistants. In the South, it is $16.05/hr for dental assistants in Louisiana and $14.45 for medical assistants. As for the East coast, salaries are $23.45/hr for dental assistants in Massachusetts and $20.09/hr for medical assistants.

 

West coast hourly salary for dental assistants is $21.94/hr in Washington and $17/hr for dental receptionists. Midwest is around $25.10/hr for dental assistants in Minnesota and $15.25/hr for dental receptionists. In the South, it is $16.05/hr for dental assistants in Louisiana and $12.58 for dental receptionists. As for the East coast, salaries are $21.50/hr for dental assistants in Connecticut and $17.56/hr for dental receptionists.

We combined the national averages for RDA's and DA's from four major national salary reporting data sets and came to conclude the following. On a national average, non-certified dental assistants make $15.89/hr, and registered dental assistants on a national average make $18.81.

 

State | Low | High | Mean | Hourly
Alabama | $23,870 | $45,080 | $33,390 | $16.05
Alaska | $33,290 | $67,560 | $49,350 | $23.73
Arizona | $27,950 | $52,680 | $41,050 | $19.73
Arkansas | $25,930 | $47,210 | $35,400 | $17.02
California | $28,710 | $60,820 | $43,280 | $20.81
Colorado | $30,020 | $56,040 | $42,050 | $20.22
Connecticut | $33,790 | $57,500 | $44,710 | $21.50
Delaware | $27,580 | $61,110 | $42,380 | $20.37
Florida | $27,910 | $53,420 | $39,730 | $19.10
Georgia | $27,750 | $53,740 | $39,960 | $19.21
Hawaii | $25,500 | $49,510 | $36,990 | $17.78
Idaho | $26,020 | $45,700 | $34,580 | $16.62
Illinois | $28,330 | $53,180 | $40,270 | $19.36
Indiana | $30,240 | $58,630 | $42,040 | $20.21
Iowa | $32,810 | $52,620 | $42,210 | $20.29
Kansas | $26,770 | $50,630 | $37,830 | $18.19
Kentucky | $24,380 | $50,980 | $36,870 | $17.73
Louisiana | $22,160 | $45,360 | $33,300 | $16.01
Maine | $34,480 | $52,800 | $43,850 | $21.08
Maryland | $27,360 | $58,970 | $42,160 | $20.27
Massachusetts | $34,970 | $63,910 | $48,770 | $23.45
Michigan | $27,830 | $53,050 | $39,340 | $18,92
Minnesota | $41,230 | $63,700 | $52,220 | $25.10
Mississippi | $23,040 | $45,820 | $32,770 | $15.76
Missouri | $27,570 | $50,980 | $39,250 | $18.87
Montana | $27,470 | $49,360 | $37,210 | $17.89
Nebraska | $29,210 | $54,130 | $40,010 | $19,24
Nevada | $26,310 | $50,570 | $38,710 | $18.61
New Hampshire | $36,180 | $63,740 | $49,280 | $23.69
New Jersey | $29,640 | $61,860 | $44,370 | $21.33
New Mexico | $27,450 | $49,530 | $37,310 | $17.94
New York | $27,610 | $56,580 | $40,680 | $19.56
North Carolina | $31,590 | $56,180 | $42,790 | $20.57
North Dakota | $35,250 | $60,800 | $47,140 | $22.66
Ohio | $27,400 | $58,740 | $40,950 | $19.69
Oklahoma | $27,170 | $49,340 | $36,970 | $17.77
Oregon | $34,910 | $60,910 | $46,940 | $22.57
Pennsylvania | $27,230 | $57,390 | $40,290 | $19.37
Rhode Island | $34,180 | $58,820 | $44,790 | $21.53
South Carolina | $29,250 | $50,650 | $39,200 | $18.85
South Dakota | $28,050 | $52,710 | $39,770 | $19,12
Tennessee | $26,270 | $53,950 | $38,940 | $18.72
Texas | $26,710 | $51,280 | $38,630 | $18.57
Utah | $23,280 | $41,860 | $32,740 | $15.74
Vermont | $29,510 | $56,470 | $43,230 | $20.79
Virginia | $29.190 | $63,760 | $44,210 | $21.26
Washington | $33,500 | $60,930 | $45,640 | $21.94
West Virginia | $21,300 | $45,220 | $32,710 | $15.73
Wisconsin | $30,200 | $51,380 | $39,800 | $19.14
Wyoming | $27,050 | $49,640 | $37,070 | $17.82

Princess Dental Staffing is one of the premier dental staffing agencies in San Diego, offering dental assisting jobs in San Diego.

 

According to the BLS, the national average annual wage of a dental assistant is markedly less than the national average wage for all occupations. If you’re a dental assistant, you can improve your chances of a better average salary by moving to a state that pays dental assistants more than the U.S. average. Wages can vary according to geographic location, type of practice and the credentials of the employee.

 

Most dental assistants work “regular hours,” meaning Monday through Friday, from 9 to 5. They usually have a 35 to 40-hour workweek, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings.

 

The highest paying dental assistant jobs can be found in areas like Alaska, which have a high demand but low supply of dental assistants. Top paid dental assistants in Alaska make 67,560 per year.

The average hourly pay for a Dental Assistant (Certified) is $17.90. 

Yes, certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) receive numerous benefits including paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick leave, pension plans or 401 (k), and health insurance.

According to DANB’s 2018-2019 Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey, those holding DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) receive numerous other benefits including paid vacation and holidays, a retirement plan, health insurance, and paid sick leave.