Dental Assistants
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,170 | $35,760 | $17.19 | |
| Alaska | 1,150 | $50,640 | $24.35 | |
| Arizona | 9,260 | $41,950 | $20.17 | |
| Arkansas | 3,130 | $34,930 | $16.80 | |
| California | 48,090 | $46,060 | $22.15 | |
| Colorado | 8,020 | $43,730 | $21.02 | |
| Connecticut | 3,590 | $46,130 | $22.18 | |
| Delaware | 820 | $44,690 | $21.49 | |
| District of Columbia | 590 | $45,950 | $22.09 | |
| Florida | 21,390 | $40,820 | $19.63 | |
| Georgia | 9,460 | $39,860 | $19.17 | |
| Hawaii | 1,580 | $37,860 | $18.20 | |
| Idaho | 2,510 | $36,250 | $17.43 | |
| Illinois | 12,340 | $42,400 | $20.39 | |
| Indiana | 6,320 | $41,630 | $20.01 | |
| Iowa | 3,230 | $44,360 | $21.33 | |
| Kansas | 3,020 | $38,330 | $18.43 | |
| Kentucky | 3,630 | $38,160 | $18.35 | |
| Louisiana | 5,010 | $33,560 | $16.14 | |
| Maine | 1,250 | $43,960 | $21.14 | |
| Maryland | 5,070 | $44,410 | $21.35 | |
| Massachusetts | 8,550 | $51,210 | $24.62 | |
| Michigan | 11,150 | $39,680 | $19.08 | |
| Minnesota | 5,330 | $53,080 | $25.52 | |
| Mississippi | 2,510 | $36,170 | $17.39 | |
| Missouri | 6,450 | $40,030 | $19.25 | |
| Montana | 1,380 | $39,060 | $18.78 | |
| Nebraska | 2,110 | $40,930 | $19.68 | |
| Nevada | 2,820 | $38,020 | $18.28 | |
| New Hampshire | 1,380 | $49,470 | $23.79 | |
| New Jersey | 9,140 | $43,980 | $21.14 | |
| New Mexico | 2,540 | $37,790 | $18.17 | |
| New York | 19,930 | $44,910 | $21.59 | |
| North Carolina | 10,680 | $44,320 | $21.31 | |
| North Dakota | 780 | $47,780 | $22.97 | |
| Ohio | 10,620 | $43,440 | $20.89 | |
| Oklahoma | 4,330 | $39,070 | $18.79 | |
| Oregon | 5,480 | $48,780 | $23.45 | |
| Pennsylvania | 9,720 | $43,540 | $20.94 | |
| Rhode Island | 620 | $46,070 | $22.15 | |
| South Carolina | 4,980 | $40,120 | $19.29 | |
| South Dakota | 890 | $42,010 | $20.20 | |
| Tennessee | 6,040 | $39,160 | $18.83 | |
| Texas | 33,040 | $38,370 | $18.45 | |
| Utah | 6,000 | $35,210 | $16.93 | |
| Vermont | 690 | $45,230 | $21.75 | |
| Virginia | 7,900 | $43,570 | $20.95 | |
| Washington | 10,500 | $46,350 | $22.29 | |
| West Virginia | 1,450 | $36,830 | $17.71 | |
| Wisconsin | 5,980 | $42,310 | $20.34 | |
| Wyoming | 550 | $41,140 | $19.78 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to provide patient care, take dental radiographs (x-ray photographs), prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures, and discharge office administrative functions under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists. Includes instruction in medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre- and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice.
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$42,510 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Postsecondary nondegree awardTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as dental assistants.
- Less than high school 3%
- High school graduate 27%
- College dropout 37%
- Associate’s degree 20%
- Bachelor’s degree 10%
- Master’s degree 1%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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