Dental0% remote-eligible+5.5% YoY growth

Dental Assistant Salary
by City (2026)

Assist dentists with procedures, sterilize equipment, and manage patient records. National median: $44K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$44K

Top 10% earn

$68K

Entry level

$35K

Salary growth

+5.5%/yr

Dental Assistant salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$49K	$62K	$77K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$47K	$59K	$74K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$47K	$58K	$73K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$46K	$58K	$73K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$46K	$58K	$73K	185	11%
Oakland, CA	$46K	$57K	$72K	185	9.3%
Bellevue, WA	$45K	$57K	$71K	175	None ✓
Boston, MA	$46K	$57K	$72K	162	5%
Washington, DC	$46K	$57K	$72K	152	8.5%
Irvine, CA	$45K	$56K	$70K	172	9.3%
Los Angeles, CA	$44K	$55K	$69K	163	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$44K	$55K	$69K	165	6.85%
Kirkland, WA	$43K	$55K	$68K	162	None ✓
Jersey City, NJ	$44K	$55K	$69K	162	10.75%
Bethesda, MD	$44K	$55K	$69K	165	5.75%
San Diego, CA	$43K	$54K	$67K	148	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$43K	$54K	$67K	150	None ✓
Newark, NJ	$43K	$54K	$67K	155	10.75%
Stamford, CT	$43K	$54K	$67K	158	6.99%
Santa Ana, CA	$42K	$53K	$66K	150	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$42K	$53K	$66K	148	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$42K	$53K	$66K	192	11%
Hilo, HI	$42K	$53K	$67K	155	11%
Long Beach, CA	$41K	$52K	$65K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$42K	$52K	$65K	148	9.3%
Worcester, MA	$41K	$52K	$65K	120	5%
Alexandria, VA	$41K	$52K	$65K	145	5.75%
Baltimore, MD	$41K	$52K	$65K	115	5.75%
Rockville, MD	$42K	$52K	$65K	148	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$41K	$52K	$65K	145	10.75%
Anchorage, AK	$41K	$52K	$65K	128	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$40K	$51K	$63K	128	9.3%
Chula Vista, CA	$40K	$51K	$63K	138	9.3%
Philadelphia, PA	$40K	$51K	$63K	110	3.07%
Portland, OR	$40K	$51K	$63K	130	9.9%
Paterson, NJ	$41K	$51K	$64K	140	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$40K	$51K	$63K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$40K	$51K	$63K	138	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$39K	$49K	$62K	107	4.95%
Denver, CO	$39K	$49K	$62K	118	4.55%
Hartford, CT	$39K	$49K	$62K	118	6.99%
Houston, TX	$38K	$48K	$59K	91	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$39K	$48K	$61K	96	None ✓
Plano, TX	$38K	$48K	$59K	105	None ✓
Miami, FL	$39K	$48K	$61K	123	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$39K	$48K	$61K	128	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$38K	$48K	$59K	99	5.75%
Durham, NC	$38K	$48K	$59K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$38K	$48K	$59K	102	None ✓
Minneapolis, MN	$39K	$48K	$61K	106	6.8%
St. Paul, MN	$38K	$48K	$59K	104	6.8%
New Haven, CT	$38K	$48K	$60K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$38K	$48K	$60K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	9.3%
Hialeah, FL	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$37K	$47K	$58K	112	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	None ✓
Naperville, IL	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$37K	$47K	$58K	112	4.55%
Fort Collins, CO	$37K	$47K	$58K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	5%
Cary, NC	$37K	$47K	$58K	112	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	4.25%
Gresham, OR	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	9.9%
Frederick, MD	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	5.75%
Bridgeport, CT	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	7.15%
Manchester, NH	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	None ✓
Concord, NH	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$38K	$47K	$59K	118	5.99%
Warwick, RI	$37K	$47K	$59K	115	5.99%
Austin, TX	$37K	$46K	$58K	110	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$37K	$46K	$58K	93	None ✓
Irving, TX	$37K	$46K	$58K	97	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$37K	$46K	$58K	108	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$37K	$46K	$58K	118	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$37K	$46K	$58K	118	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	4.55%
Raleigh, NC	$37K	$46K	$58K	102	4.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$37K	$46K	$58K	90	3.07%
Eugene, OR	$37K	$46K	$58K	110	9.9%
Salt Lake City, UT	$37K	$46K	$58K	105	4.85%
Boise, ID	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$37K	$46K	$57K	108	6.6%
San Antonio, TX	$36K	$45K	$56K	87	None ✓
Arlington, TX	$36K	$45K	$56K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$36K	$45K	$56K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$36K	$45K	$56K	102	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$36K	$45K	$57K	105	9.3%
San Bernardino, CA	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$36K	$45K	$56K	102	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$36K	$45K	$56K	100	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$36K	$45K	$57K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$36K	$45K	$56K	100	4.75%
Rochester, MN	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	6.8%
Salem, OR	$36K	$45K	$57K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$36K	$45K	$57K	105	None ✓
West Jordan, UT	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	5.7%
Meridian, ID	$36K	$45K	$57K	105	5.8%
Missoula, MT	$36K	$45K	$56K	102	6.75%
Dover, DE	$35K	$45K	$56K	100	6.6%
Bakersfield, CA	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	9.3%
Albany, NY	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	6.85%
Orlando, FL	$35K	$44K	$55K	100	None ✓
Port St. Lucie, FL	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	4.95%
Chandler, AZ	$35K	$44K	$55K	105	2.5%
Glendale, AZ	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	5.75%
Richmond, VA	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	3.07%
Madison, WI	$35K	$44K	$55K	102	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$35K	$44K	$55K	102	None ✓
Reno, NV	$35K	$44K	$55K	108	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	4.85%
Provo, UT	$35K	$44K	$55K	100	4.85%
Orem, UT	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	4.85%
North Charleston, SC	$35K	$44K	$55K	95	6.5%
Nampa, ID	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$35K	$44K	$55K	98	7.15%
Grand Prairie, TX	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	None ✓
Pasadena, TX	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Midland, TX	$34K	$43K	$54K	92	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$34K	$43K	$54K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$34K	$43K	$54K	93	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$34K	$43K	$54K	105	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	4.95%
Mesa, AZ	$34K	$43K	$54K	98	2.5%
Athens, GA	$34K	$43K	$54K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	4.75%
Virginia Beach, VA	$34K	$43K	$54K	98	5.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Columbus, OH	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	3.99%
Sterling Heights, MI	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	4.25%
Milwaukee, WI	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	5.3%
Green Bay, WI	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$34K	$43K	$54K	92	6.8%
Lexington, KY	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	5%
Charleston, SC	$34K	$43K	$54K	105	6.5%
Greenville, SC	$34K	$43K	$54K	92	6.5%
Great Falls, MT	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	6.75%
Cheyenne, WY	$34K	$43K	$54K	92	None ✓
Casper, WY	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Fargo, ND	$34K	$43K	$54K	90	2.5%
Bismarck, ND	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$34K	$43K	$53K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$33K	$42K	$52K	84	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$33K	$42K	$52K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$34K	$42K	$53K	95	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$34K	$42K	$53K	102	4.55%
Pueblo, CO	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	5.75%
Winston-Salem, NC	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	4.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	3.99%
Cincinnati, OH	$34K	$42K	$53K	88	3.99%
Detroit, MI	$34K	$42K	$53K	82	4.25%
Warren, MI	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	4.25%
Kansas City, MO	$34K	$42K	$53K	90	5.3%
St. Louis, MO	$34K	$42K	$53K	86	5.3%
Independence, MO	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$34K	$42K	$53K	88	3.23%
South Bend, IN	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	5%
Huntsville, AL	$33K	$42K	$52K	88	5%
Mobile, AL	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	4.75%
New Orleans, LA	$33K	$42K	$52K	92	6%
Lafayette, LA	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	6%
Des Moines, IA	$33K	$42K	$52K	88	4.82%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$33K	$42K	$52K	82	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	5.7%
Omaha, NE	$33K	$42K	$52K	88	5.84%
Lincoln, NE	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$34K	$42K	$53K	85	4.9%
Brownsville, TX	$32K	$41K	$51K	75	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5.75%
Toledo, OH	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	3.99%
Akron, OH	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	3.23%
Evansville, IN	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	4.75%
Shreveport, LA	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	6%
Las Cruces, NM	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	5%
Gulfport, MS	$33K	$41K	$52K	80	5%
Fort Smith, AR	$32K	$41K	$51K	75	4.9%
Charleston, WV	$33K	$41K	$51K	78	6.5%
Huntington, WV	$32K	$41K	$51K	75	6.5%
El Paso, TX	$32K	$40K	$51K	82	None ✓
Lubbock, TX	$32K	$40K	$50K	78	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$32K	$40K	$51K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$32K	$40K	$51K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$32K	$40K	$51K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$32K	$40K	$50K	85	None ✓
Grand Rapids, MI	$32K	$40K	$51K	90	4.25%
Birmingham, AL	$32K	$40K	$51K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$32K	$40K	$51K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$32K	$40K	$51K	82	4.75%
Tulsa, OK	$32K	$40K	$50K	80	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$32K	$40K	$51K	88	6%
Wichita, KS	$32K	$40K	$50K	82	5.7%
Albuquerque, NM	$32K	$40K	$51K	88	5.9%
Laredo, TX	$31K	$39K	$48K	76	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$31K	$39K	$48K	82	4.9%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $44K Dental Assistant salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Dental Assistant Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Dental Assistant is $44,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $35,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $55,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Dental Assistants nationally earn $68,000+.

Education and requirements

High school diploma; dental assistant program; state certification. This role is 0% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Dental Assistant compensation is growing at 5.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Dental Assistants significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Dental Assistant salary FAQ

How much does a Dental Assistant make?

The median Dental Assistant salary in the US is $44,000 per year — about $21/hour. Most earn between $35,000 (25th percentile) and $55,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Dental Assistant?

Entry-level Dental Assistant positions typically start around $35,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Dental Assistants earn?

The top 10% of Dental Assistants earn $68,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Dental Assistants the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Dental Assistant salary at $62K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Dental Assistant salaries going up?

Yes — Dental Assistant pay is growing about 5.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Dental Assistant Salaryby City (2026)