Dental Assistant Salary
The median dental assistant earns about $47,500 a year in the US, which is $22.84 an hour.
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Dental Assistant salary by state
| State | Estimated median per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Alaska | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| Arizona | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Arkansas | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| California | $54,800 | $26.35 |
| Colorado | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| Connecticut | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| Delaware | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| District of Columbia | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Florida | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Georgia | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Hawaii | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Idaho | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Illinois | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Indiana | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Iowa | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Kansas | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Kentucky | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Louisiana | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Maine | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| Maryland | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Massachusetts | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Michigan | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Minnesota | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Mississippi | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Missouri | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Montana | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Nebraska | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Nevada | $48,200 | $23.17 |
| New Hampshire | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| New Jersey | $53,500 | $25.72 |
| New Mexico | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| New York | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| North Carolina | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| North Dakota | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Ohio | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Oklahoma | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Oregon | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Rhode Island | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| South Carolina | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| South Dakota | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Tennessee | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Texas | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Utah | $48,500 | $23.32 |
| Vermont | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Virginia | $48,500 | $23.32 |
| Washington | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| West Virginia | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| Wisconsin | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Wyoming | $45,800 | $22.02 |
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What a dental assistant does
Dental Assistants assist dentists, prepare patients and sterilize instruments. The national median is $47,500 a year, or $22.84 an hour. Pay rises with experience, certifications and in higher-cost areas.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make?
The national median is about $47,500 a year ($22.84 an hour).
Sources and method
Page last updated November 2026. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.