Home Salary Guide Dental Assistant

Healthcare

Dental Assistant Salary

Dental assistants support dentists during procedures, prepare patients for treatments, take X-rays, and perform administrative tasks in dental offices.

Median: $40,080 Growth: 8% BLS Data

Dental Assistant Salary Range

Entry Level

$31,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$40,000

5-10 years

Senior Level

$50,000

10+ years

Salary Percentiles

10th Percentile $30,330

25th Percentile $34,290

Median (50th) $40,080

75th Percentile $47,910

90th Percentile $56,810

Top Paying States for Dental Assistants

1 Alaska

$53,000

2 Minnesota

$52,000

3 New Hampshire

$50,000

4 Massachusetts

$49,000

5 Washington

$48,000

Job Outlook & Education

Growth Rate

+8%

Above Average

Education

Postsecondary certificate or associate's degree

How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?

The median annual salary for a dental assistant in the United States is $40,080 as of 2026. This means half of dental assistants earn more than this amount, and half earn less.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-2 years): $31,000
Mid Career (5-10 years): $40,000
Senior Level (10+ years): $50,000

Calculate Your Take-Home

See exactly how much you'll take home after taxes with our income calculator.

Calculate $40,080 Salary

Hourly Equivalent

Based on 2,080 work hours/year

$19/hr

See $19/hr Breakdown

Ask AI About This Salary

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What Can a Dental Assistant Afford?

Based on median salary of $40,080

Max Rent $999/mo

Max Car Payment $399/mo

Monthly Savings $535/mo

See Full Budget Breakdown

Useful Tools

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Related Careers

Dental Hygienist

Medical Assistant

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