Dental Assistant Salary – How Much Do Dental Assistants Make? | DentalAssistant.net

Dental Assistant Salary – How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?

As in all careers, pay for dental assistants varies based on experience and qualifications. As a general benchmark, these are the most recent salary figures for dental assistants:

  • 50% of dental assistants earn roughly $33,470 per year.
  • The top 10% of dental assistants earn over $47,000 per year
  • Dental assistant hourly rates generally start at $10.90 straight out of school and can exceed $20 with experience

Dental Assistant Salaries by State

Compensation levels for dental assistants also vary from state to state because differences in cost of living, how demanded dental assistants are, and other local factors. Here is list of average dental assistant salaries in some the most populous states in the US:

  • California – $16.97
  • Texas – $15.29
  • New York – $16.55
  • Florida – $15.96
  • Illinois – $16.00

Dental Assistant Salaries by City

The salary of a dental assistant will also depend on what city they live in. Here is a list of average dental assistant salaries from some of largest cities in the US:

  • Manchester, NH – $22.51
  • Santa Rosa, CA – $21.49
  • Barnstable Town, MA – $21.43
  • Anchorage, AK – $21.00
  • San Francisco, CA – $20.98
  • Napa, CA – $20.57
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN – $20.51

Figures courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment & Wages database.

Top Dental Assistant Schools

  • Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s super-competitive job market. With online training from Penn Foster Career School, students are assured of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Students at Penn Foster Career School can get the training they need quickly, conveniently, and affordably.

    Penn Foster is one of the world’s largest and most respected online education providers. Their programs are job focused, and they offer training for employment in the fastest-growing fields in business, technology, health care, and the trades.

  • Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities provides postsecondary education programs that prepare students for careers in some of America’s fastest growing industries, including health care, business and technology. Everest takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Everest’s Career Services department is there to provide ongoing career coaching and help locating local employment opportunities. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

  • Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities provides postsecondary education programs that prepare students for careers in some of America’s fastest growing industries, including health care, business and technology. Everest takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Everest’s Career Services department is there to provide ongoing career coaching and help locating local employment opportunities. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

  • With over 15 years of experience in preparing adults for rewarding careers, Concorde is a recognized leader in training Healthcare Professionals. We offer short, manageable programs with day and evening classes to fit your busy schedule.

  • American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC“s programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree. All ACC programs include access to trained faculty, a full student services department committed to helping students succeed, and career guidance and services after graduation. ACC is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools; some programs also hold programmatic accreditation or approvals.

    Programs vary by campus. Program lengths vary by session and schedule. Financial aid available to those who qualify. ACC cannot guarantee employment. American Career College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

  • Carrington College®, a recognized leader in private education, opened in 1976 and currently provides practical, real-world education to more than 4,000 students annually. Carrington College® offers small classes with hands-on learning taught by experienced faculty.

  • A college education is important in today’s workforce. Kaplan College gives you the right mix of professional experience and classroom instruction in our accelerated programs to help you succeed in your new career!

    Kaplan College can help you train for a new career with diploma programs ranging in just a few months.. Take advantage of all the benefits Kaplan College offers today!

    Kaplan College is pleased to offer discounts on tuition for qualifying active military personnel, veterans and military spouses. Please ask for more information on these discount opportunities.

    Kaplan Higher Education or its authorized agents and representatives may contact me via email or telephone to discuss these and other educational opportunities in the future.

  • Now you can earn your associate degree and can get started in the career field you’ve always dreamed of more conveniently than ever by attending the online Campus of Carrington College California. Considered a leader in education, Carrington College California has a long history of helping students succeed in real world careers.

  • Heald College provides hands-on educational programs that can help students prepare for careers in healthcare, business, legal and technology. Heald takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Heald provides career services assistance for life. We help locate employment opportunities anytime throughout our graduates’ careers. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. High school diploma or GED required.

  • Get the Career Training you need in as little as 9 Months! Looking for a new career but traditional college isn’t your thing? We understand. That’s why Porter and Chester Institute provides you with the hands-on training to prepare you for the career you deserve.

  • DA2004

    Wow Allyson, i can say for sure that this is not a lot of money you make. I’m from Germany and was hoping here in the States you would make a lot more money as a Dental Assistant. I don’t know how long and how intense School is here to become a Dental Assistant and if you’re only in School or mostly working at an actual Dental office. In Germany it takes 3 years to become a certified Dental Assistant and those 3 years you work at a Dental office 4 days out of 5 in a week, that 1 day you have School. So i know for sure that what I’ve learned in those years is way more than i expected and i graduated with a pretty good Degree in my Hands. I was hoping i would make more Money ( in Germany about $3000) here than in Germany but after reading this, i was clearly wrong. Getting only $8-$10 an hour is not enough for the work a Dental Assistant does. I am really disappointed knowing how much i’ve learned but not getting paid right. I don’t know what a Dental Assistant here is allowed and not allowed to do, but in Germany you can say besides what “only” a Dentist is allowed to do ( fillings, yanking out teethe and all the big stuff) a DA does everything else, x-rays, cleaning, professional cleaning of teeth, impressions, temporary fillings, etc. so i believe we should get paid more!

  • Nelly

    i am tinking about doing a career in dentistry any advise?

  • Dblink182rulz

    I didn’t know there was jobs in Germany for dental assistants!!! How much is the average salary there and is it hard to find a job there as a dental assistant or dental hygienist? 

  • Optimus8816

    Wow!!! pure ignorance!!!

  • Corrales1025

    Hello everyone im 19 yrs old and I dont know what career to choose, out of all the careers dentist calls more my attention,but I have no clue what so ever about dentist..for those that know about the career did u gain yor experience by college or is somethin u just learn.please give me some advice thank you

  • Corrales1025

    Hello everyone im 19 yrs old and I dont know what career to choose, out of all the careers dentist calls more my attention,but I have no clue what so ever about dentist..for those that know about the career did u gain yor experience by college or is somethin u just learn.please give me some advice thank you

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/SBHCFSP2MOS5QWHYZWOHF6RDCE marie

    i live in texas and i can say i dont make $15 hr. that would be nice. dentist are cheap and dont care if your n2o certified. ive been a dental assistant for almost 4 years and have made about $25,000 this past year.

  • Sharondayosteen

    I started out as an on job training (high school),then Lindsley Hopkins out of  Miami, Fl. for expanded function, in 1976 hygiene school from Miami Dade, also took The Central Regional Boards to be able to work as a hygienist in Colorado. After 20 years in hygiene, went to dental school at UF,  if I knew how horrible staff members can be, BS I’d go back to hygiene, and I talked many patients into doing hygiene.  If I could find a career in dental, I would leave tomorrow!.

                                                                              Dr. O

  • Sharondayosteen

    good luck and find the alpha dog and kiss a__

  • Shirin123_

    how do u know?If only u are in that place u will understand………I’m telling this because i have experienced that

  • shyryn

    oh sorry allyson!!! this comment is not actually for u……….really v v v v v  sorry for this….

  • Courtney Wong

    Hi my name is Courtney and I would like to be a Dental Assistant. I was really disappointed that, Dallas, where I currently live right now, does not offer Dental Hygienist which was what I really wanted to do. I am a single mom raising 2 children and life is really a struggle when it comes to keeping a career that pays little money. Should I just go ahead and stick with going to school to be a Dental Assistant or what do you suggest?

  • ACS

    I’m going to school May 2012 for Dentist Hygiene. Is there a website or denist office that offers hands on training while in school. Strictly volunteer. I’m in Atlanta, Ga. Please email suggestions to achenelles@gmail.com. Thanks

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002343131460 Izzie Bear

    Ugh i was planning on going to another college other than the ones above..

  • Papercliptruth

    In Australia, a qualified Dental assistant averages around $21-26 an hour, up to $30 an hour if you’re working for a specialist.  Unqualified Trainees start at around $16 an hour. However, unlike USA, we do not get benefits such as insurance.  Only Super which is added 9% on top of your hourly wage.  Super is a retirement fund so you can only access it when you retire in your 60′s.  Keep in mind the cost of living in Australia is high as well. $300 a week goes to rent and utilities.

    I am moving to Europe and was wondering what the average wage is for a Dental assistant is over there.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/YDL4FG7RDWGDG3HXQWG2XURZ5Y Donna

     If I had known then what I know now, I would have done dental hygiene. I am a dental assistant (13 years now) Hygienists are paid much better, and they work independent from the dentist. Assistants are the grunts of the office. They do a TON of work and aren’t paid nearly as well. They are unappreciated. With a hygiene degree, you get more respect from the dentists. Assistants work right next to the dentist all day long, so it’s easy for them to try to micro manage you…I’ll be 50 this year, so it’s too late for me to do hygiene…but if I could go back, I’d do it in a heartbeat

  • DarkVixen

    No not pure ignorance, it’s true!!! U have no Idea how hard some Dental Assistants work, take extra courses an dtravel to take these new up to date classes for high tech new stuff to kepp our salary where it is. I hve not had a raise in 3 years, one of the girls asked for one and was ripped a new a** hole and was told she was lucky to have a job. If they can find some one cheaper to do the job they will and the ones that suffer are the patients. I have seen what an inexperienced dental assistant can do to a patients mouth and some of the patients dont even know any better. I have been in the field since I got out of high school so this is my 17th year in dental assisting and I’, making $16 in hour in Orlando Florida. I finished my pre requisites for hygiene school now I’m waiting to get into hygiene program, would recomend it to anybody before Dental Assisting, Oh and most of  the time the Dr treats u like CRAP!!!!

  • Ang806

     The ones above have probably paid for the advertising. None of the assistants I have worked with have gone to these schools. Go to one that is near you and you can afford. :)

  • Ronin0531

    You need to be a citizen or green card holder in order to apply as Dental Assistant. Foreign-trained Dentists usually get high chances for the position. The pay in NYC ranges from $14-$25/hour. Goodluck!

  • Lovemylids2003

    your not “old” i admire you for making a career change do it !!!

  • Optimus8816

    I don’t believe anyone can be too old to make a career change if they want too. I am a hispanic and young and I payed to go to a really good school and guess what if a dentist was going to affor me a job for $10 dollars an hour I would jump on it! wether I am attractive or not it shouldn’t matter and if you want to be an asset you should learn spanish or russian. just a suggestion