The average salary for a dental assistant in the United States is $38,120 per year as of May 2020, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, dental assistant salaries can range significantly depending on level of experience, location, employer and specialty. Many dental assistants earn between $25,000 and $45,000 annually.
Some key factors that influence a dental assistant's salary include:
- Level of experience: Entry-level dental assistants typically earn $25,000 to $30,000, while experienced assistants with 5+ years of experience can earn $35,000 to $45,000.
- Location: Salaries tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas with higher costs of living. Dental assistants in California, New York and Massachusetts tend to make more than the national average.
- Employer type: Assistants working in private dental practices tend to earn more than those working for dental schools or the government.
- Specialty: Dental assistants working in specialties like orthodontics, periodontics or oral surgery tend to earn more than general dental assistants.
The highest earning dental assistants, those with many years of experience working in specialty practices in high-cost areas, may earn over $45,000 per year. However, approximately half of all dental assistants earn between $30,000-$40,000 annually in 2019 according to BLS statistics.
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