Dental Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?
Dental Assistants earn a median annual salary of $47,300 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,190 at the 10th percentile to $61,780 at the 90th percentile — a range of $25,590. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $64,630.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,190 |
| 25th percentile | $39,520 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 |
| 75th percentile | $56,910 |
| 90th percentile | $61,780 |
Dental Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesotatop | $64,630 |
| Massachusetts | $57,960 |
| Oregon | $57,720 |
| Washington | $57,040 |
| District of Columbia | $56,500 |
| Alaska | $55,950 |
| Maine | $51,340 |
| North Dakota | $51,310 |
| Vermont | $51,020 |
| Connecticut | $50,820 |
| New Hampshire | $50,260 |
| Arizona | $49,000 |
| California | $48,910 |
| North Carolina | $48,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 |
| Maryland | $48,280 |
| New Jersey | $48,070 |
| Rhode Island | $48,060 |
| Wisconsin | $48,000 |
| Indiana | $47,980 |
| Iowa | $47,820 |
| Colorado | $47,770 |
| South Dakota | $47,680 |
| Illinois | $47,430 |
| Ohio | $47,330 |
| Florida | $47,060 |
| Michigan | $47,030 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| Nevada | $46,970 |
| Virginia | $46,910 |
| Nebraska | $46,660 |
| Kentucky | $46,520 |
| Delaware | $46,090 |
| Tennessee | $46,090 |
| South Carolina | $45,930 |
| Montana | $45,820 |
| Georgia | $45,600 |
| Missouri | $45,220 |
| Hawaii | $44,870 |
| Oklahoma | $44,450 |
| Wyoming | $42,770 |
| Texas | $42,270 |
| Kansas | $39,840 |
| Idaho | $39,460 |
| New Mexico | $38,840 |
| Louisiana | $38,150 |
| Arkansas | $37,680 |
| West Virginia | $37,330 |
| Utah | $37,320 |
| Alabama | $37,280 |
| Mississippi | $37,130 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Dental Assistants
Dental Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,190 – $39,520 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$47,300 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$56,910 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $61,780+ |
How to Earn More as a Dental Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dental Assistants in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI earn $65,360 — $18,060 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($56,910) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Dental Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistantthis career | $47,300 |
| Chiropractor | $79,000 |
| Dentists, General | $172,790 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Orthodontist | $239,200 |
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SOC: 31-9091.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.