SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Indianapolis, IN is $48,970 per year, close to the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Dental Assistants in Indianapolis, IN is $48,970 per year, close to the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $47,490 and $58,030. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,650 and the ninetieth at $59,550.
The area has 2,200 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Elkhart records the highest median at $52,830. Of the 621 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 406th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,650 | −21.7% |
| 25th | $47,490 | −1.2% |
| Median (50th) | $48,970 | +1.9% |
| 75th | $58,030 | +20.7% |
| 90th | $59,550 | +23.9% |
| Mean | $51,810 | +7.8% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | $52,830 | 160 | |
| 2 | Michigan City | $48,920 | 80 | |
| 3 | Lafayette | $48,730 | 190 | |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | $48,670 | 630 | |
| 5 | Kokomo | $48,360 | 140 | |
| 6 | Bloomington | $48,170 | 130 | |
| 7 | Evansville | $48,000 | 300 | |
| 8 | South Bend | $47,770 | 360 | |
| 9 | Columbus | $47,260 | 120 | |
| 10 | Terre Haute | $46,450 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $48,970 goes as far as $52,487 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,487US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,970 a year, 1.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,650 to $59,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elkhart, at $52,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $48,970, or $23.54 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,070, so pay in Indianapolis, IN is 1.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Indianapolis, IN earns more than $59,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Elkhart, at $52,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,200 jobs in this occupation in Indianapolis, IN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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