Dental Assistants
SOC code 31-9091 · O*NET-SOC 31-9091.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Dental assisting needs no degree in most states — training runs from a few months on the job to a one-year certificate. It is a front-row seat to clinical dentistry, and a common launchpad into dental hygiene school.
Dental Assistants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$48,070
a year
Hourly
$23.11
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$50,200
$24.13 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,340 – $58,090
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,130 – $62,250
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
387,790
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,130
- $17.85/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,340
- $21.32/hr
- Median percentile
- $48,070
- $23.11/hr
- 75th percentile
- $58,090
- $27.93/hr
- 90th percentile
- $62,250
- $29.93/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
381,900
jobs in 2024
406,300
projected for 2034
About 24,400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a dental assistant do?
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 tasks that matter most day to day
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
How to become a dental assistant
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 46% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate46%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)29%
- Some College Courses17%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8%
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant earn?
The national median is $48,070 a year. The full range runs from $37,130 at the 10th percentile to $62,250 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a dental assistant without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is dental assistant in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.3/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.4/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
- Sales and Marketing3.3/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation.