Dental Assistant Salary
Dental Assistants earn a median $48,070 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
U.S. median
$48,070
$23.11 per hour
Range
$37,130 – $62,250
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
387,790
across the U.S.
▲1.6%
Pay trend: The median for dental assistants in the U.S. rose from $47,300 (May 2024) to $48,070 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.8%.
What dental assistants do
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 53,000
Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 53,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Dental Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,804
per year · effective tax rate 15.1%
$3,400Monthly
$1,700Twice a month
$1,569Every 2 weeks
$19.62Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,588
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,980
- Medicare (1.45%)$697
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,804
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,130 | $17.85 | $32,014 |
| 25th percentile | $44,340 | $21.32 | $37,807 |
| Median (50th) | $48,070 | $23.11 | $40,804 |
| 75th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 | $48,855 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,250 | $29.93 | $52,198 |
Best cities for dental assistants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis, MN | $72,370 | $56,345 | $53,753 | 3,910 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $74,600 | $57,585 | $52,150 | 2,870 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $62,040 | $52,029 | $46,817 | 7,100 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $64,390 | $51,141 | $44,235 | 7,530 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $58,580 | $46,923 | $43,989 | 3,100 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $59,890 | $45,891 | $43,531 | 4,120 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,590 | $41,444 | $43,456 | 2,440 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $48,190 | $39,573 | $42,762 | 2,470 |
| 9 | Nashville, TN | $48,540 | $41,182 | $42,747 | 2,730 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $48,760 | $40,800 | $42,737 | 2,560 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $58,160 | $46,224 | $42,694 | 7,190 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $47,800 | $40,055 | $42,647 | 2,540 |
| 13 | Charlotte, NC | $50,060 | $40,915 | $42,029 | 3,540 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $48,500 | $41,150 | $41,961 | 3,010 |
| 15 | San Diego, CA | $58,120 | $46,587 | $41,638 | 4,260 |
| 16 | St. Louis, MO | $48,120 | $39,520 | $41,562 | 2,990 |
| 17 | San Antonio, TX | $45,920 | $39,077 | $41,257 | 3,820 |
| 18 | Detroit, MI | $50,110 | $40,564 | $40,444 | 6,030 |
| 19 | Milwaukee, WI | $47,140 | $38,764 | $39,989 | 2,400 |
| 20 | Phoenix, AZ | $49,760 | $41,127 | $39,807 | 6,270 |
| 21 | Las Vegas, NV | $46,890 | $39,856 | $39,771 | 3,080 |
| 22 | Tampa, FL | $46,890 | $39,856 | $39,505 | 3,560 |
| 23 | Philadelphia, PA | $49,570 | $40,488 | $39,479 | 6,510 |
| 24 | Dallas, TX | $47,570 | $40,402 | $39,191 | 9,010 |
| 25 | Orlando, FL | $46,480 | $39,527 | $38,974 | 3,260 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $74,600
- Minneapolis, MN — $72,370
- San Francisco, CA — $64,390
- Seattle, WA — $62,040
- Portland, OR — $59,890
- Sacramento, CA — $58,580
- Boston, MA — $58,160
- San Diego, CA — $58,120
- Detroit, MI — $50,110
- Charlotte, NC — $50,060
- Phoenix, AZ — $49,760
- Cincinnati, OH — $49,590
- Philadelphia, PA — $49,570
- Denver, CO — $49,490
- Chicago, IL — $48,950
Dental Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 | +1.0% | $51,709 | $46,960 – $76,110 | 5,980 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | +7.2% | $48,365 | $47,530 – $74,960 | 630 |
| Maine | $60,070 | +17.0% | $47,573 | $47,290 – $62,660 | 1,550 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | +18.4% | $50,012 | $47,820 – $64,360 | 1,600 |
| Oregon | $59,490 | +3.1% | $45,604 | $49,010 – $75,570 | 5,930 |
| Washington | $58,090 | +1.8% | $48,855 | $46,280 – $68,230 | 13,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | +0.0% | $46,088 | $47,270 – $72,790 | 9,680 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 | +12.6% | $48,598 | $43,680 – $72,710 | 860 |
| Alaska | $57,710 | +3.1% | $48,550 | $40,300 – $62,780 | 1,140 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 | +11.9% | $46,226 | $38,630 – $60,900 | 3,840 |
| Vermont | $52,760 | +3.4% | $43,239 | $45,260 – $66,410 | 580 |
| North Carolina | $50,380 | +3.4% | $41,159 | $38,240 – $60,200 | 11,450 |
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | +4.3% | $41,212 | $45,640 – $60,900 | 1,050 |
| California | $50,110 | +2.5% | $40,736 | $38,790 – $73,700 | 56,220 |
| New Jersey | $49,390 | +2.7% | $40,684 | $38,660 – $64,200 | 9,990 |
| Arizona | $49,000 | +0.0% | $40,535 | $38,500 – $59,380 | 8,680 |
| Michigan | $48,820 | +3.8% | $39,583 | $37,110 – $58,900 | 11,990 |
| Indiana | $48,670 | +1.4% | $39,880 | $36,880 – $60,590 | 6,690 |
| Maryland | $48,620 | +0.7% | $39,300 | $35,560 – $61,710 | 6,560 |
| Illinois | $48,610 | +2.5% | $38,977 | $37,360 – $59,910 | 13,740 |
| Iowa | $48,430 | +1.3% | $39,905 | $39,360 – $59,580 | 3,210 |
| Colorado | $48,340 | +1.2% | $39,603 | $38,500 – $60,540 | 8,360 |
| New York | $48,110 | +2.3% | $38,835 | $36,410 – $60,490 | 19,800 |
| Ohio | $47,970 | +1.4% | $40,187 | $36,870 – $78,000 | 12,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | −0.7% | $39,220 | $38,040 – $61,430 | 12,080 |
| South Dakota | $47,900 | +0.5% | $40,668 | $38,190 – $60,310 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $47,730 | +2.6% | $38,978 | $35,600 – $62,050 | 4,530 |
| Florida | $47,620 | +1.2% | $40,443 | $37,800 – $58,880 | 26,620 |
| Delaware | $47,600 | +3.3% | $38,462 | $36,410 – $56,840 | 990 |
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | −1.0% | $39,052 | $39,500 – $58,840 | 7,760 |
| South Carolina | $47,320 | +3.0% | $38,520 | $37,070 – $58,480 | 5,530 |
| Nevada | $47,110 | +0.3% | $40,033 | $36,870 – $56,700 | 4,230 |
| Georgia | $46,840 | +2.7% | $38,008 | $36,410 – $57,710 | 10,540 |
| Tennessee | $46,720 | +1.4% | $39,720 | $37,810 – $61,260 | 7,420 |
| Montana | $46,680 | +1.9% | $38,250 | $37,340 – $57,900 | 1,450 |
| Virginia | $46,670 | −0.5% | $37,810 | $37,720 – $58,910 | 10,760 |
| Nebraska | $46,660 | +0.0% | $38,428 | $37,810 – $57,430 | 2,520 |
| Missouri | $45,970 | +1.7% | $37,894 | $36,580 – $59,410 | 6,760 |
| Idaho | $45,880 | +16.3% | $37,721 | $37,430 – $59,740 | 2,680 |
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | +2.9% | $37,419 | $36,030 – $58,430 | 4,550 |
| Texas | $45,430 | +7.5% | $38,683 | $35,400 – $57,640 | 33,230 |
| Wyoming | $44,990 | +5.2% | $38,329 | $35,530 – $57,110 | 630 |
| Hawaii | $44,720 | −0.3% | $36,209 | $31,540 – $50,340 | 1,960 |
| New Mexico | $44,400 | +14.3% | $36,914 | $37,060 – $55,950 | 2,150 |
| Louisiana | $44,090 | +15.6% | $36,670 | $31,050 – $49,640 | 4,540 |
| Arkansas | $42,830 | +13.7% | $35,136 | $35,060 – $48,330 | 2,950 |
| Mississippi | $39,160 | +5.5% | $32,811 | $30,650 – $58,620 | 3,080 |
| Alabama | $39,080 | +4.8% | $31,892 | $30,840 – $51,400 | 3,740 |
| West Virginia | $37,960 | +1.7% | $31,650 | $31,760 – $52,630 | 1,290 |
| Utah | $37,760 | +1.2% | $31,787 | $35,380 – $47,680 | 6,640 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make?
The national median salary for dental assistants is $48,070 a year ($23.11 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,130 and the top 10% earn over $62,250. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays dental assistants the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $65,270. After taxes and local prices, Minneapolis, MN offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many dental assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 387,790 people work as dental assistants nationwide.
All 36 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Kansas City, MO
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC