SOC 31-9091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dental Assistants — North Dakota
North Dakota · 4 metro areas compared
In North Dakota the median wage for Dental Assistants is $57,770 a year, which is 20.2% higher than the national figure of $48,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In North Dakota the median wage for Dental Assistants is $57,770 a year, which is 20.2% higher than the national figure of $48,070. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,150 and $60,270. The lowest tenth earn under $43,680, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,710.
The area has 860 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. North Dakota ranks number 8th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bismarck records the highest median at $58,960. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 323rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,680 | −9.1% |
| 25th | $47,150 | −1.9% |
| Median (50th) | $57,770 | +20.2% |
| 75th | $60,270 | +25.4% |
| 90th | $72,710 | +51.3% |
| Mean | $56,450 | +17.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $58,960 | 210 | |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $57,770 | 110 | |
| 3 | Minot | $57,770 | 70 | |
| 4 | Fargo | $56,940 | 330 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $57,770 goes as far as $64,910 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 35.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,910US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,770 a year, 20.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,680 to $72,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 860 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bismarck, at $58,960.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dental Assistants in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $57,770, or $27.78 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 North Dakota is 20.2% 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 North Dakota earns more than $72,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,680 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 Bismarck, at $58,960 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 860 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. 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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