The average annual salary for dental assistants has increased each of the last five years, rising from $41,170 in 2019 to $47,350 in 2023, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Dental assistants have earned the most in Minnesota each year since 2019.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated compensation data April 3 to reflect May 2023 information, the latest available.
Here is the average annual salary and mean hourly wage for dental assistants, along with the average earnings in the highest-paying state in each year since 2019:
Mean annual wage: $41,170
Mean hourly wage: $19.79
Highest-paying state: Minnesota, annual wage of $52,220
Mean annual wage: $42,310; year-over-year increase of $1,140
Mean hourly wage: $20.34
Highest-paying state: Minnesota, annual wage of $53,670
Mean annual wage: $42,510; year-over-year increase of $200
Mean hourly wage: $20.44
Highest-paying state: Minnesota, annual wage of $53,080
Mean annual wage: $44,710; year-over-year increase of $2,200
Mean hourly wage: $21.50
Highest-paying state: Minnesota, annual wage of $58,890
Mean annual wage: $47,350; year-over-year increase of $2,640
Mean hourly wage: $22.77
Highest-paying state: Minnesota, annual wage of $62,760