How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$48,070
Dental assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $48,070 a year, or $23.11 an hour. Half of dental assistants earn more than $48,070 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $62,250.
Pay percentiles for dental assistants
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| 50th (median) | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th | $29.93 | $62,250 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $31.38 | +36% |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $29.13 | +26% |
| Maine | $60,070 | $28.88 | +25% |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $28.62 | +24% |
| Oregon | $59,490 | $28.60 | +24% |
| Washington | $58,090 | $27.93 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $27.88 | +21% |
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $27.78 | +20% |
| Alaska | $57,710 | $27.74 | +20% |
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $27.33 | +18% |
| United States | $48,070 | $23.11 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many dental assistants are there?
BLS counts about 387,790 dental assistants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (56,220), Texas (33,230) and Florida (26,620).
The mean (average) annual wage is $50,200, higher than the median of $48,070.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,006
- Biweekly
- $1,849
- Weekly
- $924
- Daily (8 hours)
- $185
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dental assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dental assistants is $23.11. The middle 50% earn between $21.32 and $27.93 an hour.
Which state pays dental assistants the most?
Minnesota has the highest median wage for dental assistants at $65,270, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for dental assistants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of dental assistants earn less than $37,130 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.