Dental Assistant Pay: What is the Average Salary for a Certified Dental Assistant?

Are you interested in dental assistant jobs? Read on as we discuss the average salary of dental assistants across the United States and Canada.

Dental assistants serve as aides to dentists and their hygienists. With the American Dental Assistant’s Association as their professional organization, dental assistants in the U.S. can become registered and certified on a state as well as a national level.

The U.S. Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers five national certifications:

• National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®)
• Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA®)
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®)
• Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA®)
• Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA®)

The higher the certification and specialization level, the higher salary you can expect.

According to the Canadian Dental Assistants Association, each Canadian province has its own governing body with specific requirements. 74% of Canadian dental assistants are registered, certified, or licensed under the jurisdiction of the provincial Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (DARA).

What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

Each dental assistant job description varies by employer but generally includes:

• Helping with dental procedures
• Creating tooth molds and dental impressions
• Going over patient care
• Preparing patients for surgery
• Utilizing dental instruments and equipment
• Cleaning and sterilizing instruments
• Preparing exam and procedure rooms
• Handling customer service needs

Which Dental Assistants Make the Most Money?

Dental assisting pay varies based on skill, experience, and certification level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, the top-paying dental assistants work in the following areas:

Please note, however, that these choice jobs represent less than one half of one percent of all dental assistant jobs. The majority of dental assistants, by far, work in dentists’ offices.

Average Dental Assistant Annual Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dental assistants in the U.S. is $42,510 per year, often including 401k and benefits. Acquiring different certifications or passing various Dental Assisting National Board courses may help you earn above this average salary. The dental care and dental hygiene fields offer many career growth opportunities.

What Is the Hourly Wage of a Dental Assistant?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for U.S. dental assistants in 2021 was $20.44 per hour. The Canadian Job Bank lists the wage range for dental assistants (NOC 3411) as between $18 and $32 CAD per hour.

Registered Dental Assistant Salary

According to 2023 data from Salary.com, RDAs in the U.S. make a median annual salary of $40,890 per year.

Certified Dental Assistant Salary

According to the DANB 2020-2021 Survey, those with CDA certification make a median hourly wage of $22.09, or almost $46,000 per year.

Dental Assistant Salary Across States and Provinces

Your pay may vary depending on where you live since salaries vary widely by state. Below, we look at the average wages for dental assistants in a sampling of U.S. states and Canadian provinces according to ZipRecruiter and, in Canada, the Canadian Job Bank. Please note that ZipRecruiter’s figures are significantly lower than those from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, ZipRecruiter provides an average U.S. salary of $35,961, as compared to the government figure of $42,510, so please make comparisons accordingly.

See How Weave Supports You and Your Staff

If you’re considering a dental assistant career, hopefully, this article has helped clarify how much you might make and where you could work to maximize your earnings.

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