Dental Assistants

Dental assistants' salaries are determined by their specific responsibilities, the type of office they work in, and the geographic location of their employer. The median annual earnings for dental assistants was $46,540 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The highest 10 percent earned more than $61,060 a year, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,470 a year. Fifty percent of dental assistants earned between $38,220 and $54,430.

Dental assistants who are certified earn higher salaries than those who are not certified, according to the 2022 Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey from the Dental Assisting National Board. The survey found that certified dental assistants earned average hourly salaries of $24.00, while those who were not certified earned $19.93 an hour.

Salaried dental assistants in a private office typically receive paid vacation, health insurance, and other benefits. Part-time assistants in private offices often receive dental coverage, but do not typically receive other benefits.