What Dental Assistants do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Dental Assistants this way: "Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures"; "Expose dental diagnostic x-rays"; "Record treatment information in patient records"; "Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients"; "Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award.
Job outlook for Dental Assistants
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 388,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 417,400 in 2035, an increase of 28,800 jobs (+7.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 53,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,070, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Dental Assistants earn the most
Across the 11 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $44,906 in Texas to $53,732 in California, a gap of $8,825 (1.20 times). 6 of those 11 states average above the BLS national median of $48,070 and 5 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 55,700, which is 21.5% of the 259,230 counted across them. Texas follows with 32,050.
Highest-paying states
California ($53,732), Indiana ($48,945) and New Jersey ($48,805) lead the ranking, while Texas ($44,906) and West Virginia ($46,439) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Dental Assistants: pay against the cost of living
We compare 12 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $19,143. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $1,902 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 11 of the 12 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 32.4% and 84.0% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Dental Assistants
Medical Assistants belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (31-9000) include .
Frequently asked questions about Dental Assistants
What is the national median wage for Dental Assistants?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,070. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $44,906 to $53,732.
Which state pays Dental Assistants the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $53,732. Indiana is next at $48,945.
What is the job outlook for Dental Assistants?
BLS projects employment to grow by 7.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.
What education do Dental Assistants need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award, according to BLS.
Where can Dental Assistants afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $19,143 on a median wage of $47,540.