SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · United States
Dental Assistants
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
$48,070 /year
The median wage for Dental Assistants across the United States is $48,070 per year, measured over 387,790 jobs. The highest state median is in Minnesota, at $65,270.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Dental Assistants
Pay for this occupation varies by 72.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Minnesota pays $65,270 and Utah pays $37,760.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $65,270 | 5,980 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $60,580 | 630 | |
| 3 | Maine | $60,070 | 1,550 | |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $59,530 | 1,600 | |
| 5 | Oregon | $59,490 | 5,930 | |
| 6 | Washington | $58,090 | 13,050 | |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $57,980 | 9,680 | |
| 8 | North Dakota | $57,770 | 860 | |
| 9 | Alaska | $57,710 | 1,140 | |
| 10 | Connecticut | $56,850 | 3,840 |
States with the most Dental Assistants jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 56,220 | $50,110 | |
| 2 | Texas | 33,230 | $45,430 | |
| 3 | Florida | 26,620 | $47,620 | |
| 4 | New York | 19,800 | $48,110 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 13,740 | $48,610 | |
| 6 | Washington | 13,050 | $58,090 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 12,150 | $47,970 | |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,080 | $47,930 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 11,990 | $48,820 | |
| 10 | North Carolina | 11,450 | $50,380 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $74,600 | 2,870 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $72,370 | 3,910 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $64,390 | 7,530 |
| 4 | Rochester | $63,450 | 320 |
| 5 | Seattle | $62,040 | 7,100 |
| 6 | Portland | $61,240 | 830 |
| 7 | Mankato | $61,010 | 120 |
| 8 | St. Cloud | $61,000 | 270 |
| 9 | Santa Rosa | $60,590 | 680 |
| 10 | Napa | $60,270 | 230 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.