Dental Assistant: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Dental Assistants earn a national median of $47,300/yr with 6.4% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language.
Median Salary
$47,300
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
6.4%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
375,430
2024 data
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Dental Assistant
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Dental Assistant candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Dental Assistant performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Dental Assistant roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 6.4% for Dental Assistant roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 375,430
- Projected Growth
- 6.4%
- Typical Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Dental Assistant do?
- Dental Assistants apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning.
- How much does a Dental Assistant make?
- The national median salary for a Dental Assistant is $47,300 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Dental Assistant a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Dental Assistant roles is projected to grow 6.4% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 375,430 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Dental Assistant?
- The typical entry-level education for a Dental Assistant is Postsecondary nondegree award. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Dental Assistants need?
- The most important skills for Dental Assistant roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation, Writing, Critical Thinking. Key tools and technologies include: Henry Schein Dentrix.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.