How Much Do Dental Assistants Make? 

Last Updated on June 22, 2024 by ClinicNearMe

Dental assistants are professionals who work with dentists and their patients in a clinical setting. They are responsible for various tasks such as preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing equipment, and assisting the dentist during procedures. They are often employed in dental offices and may be responsible for administrative tasks including scheduling appointments, answering phones, greeting clients, and assisting doctors with patient examinations. Their responsibilities also include cleaning teeth, taking impressions of patients’ bite forms (for dentures), making temporary crowns, and performing other duties. Dental assistants typically work the majority of their time on their feet.

They are undoubtedly the most important members of a dental team because they help dentists provide dental care to patients by performing administrative and clinical tasks.

How much do dental assistants make an hour? 

The average salary of a dental assistant is $30,000 per year. The hourly rate varies from state to state and from employer to employer. In Texas, dental assistants make $28 per hour on average while in California they make $36 per hour on average. In Florida, they make an hourly rate of $27 on average while in the US they make an hourly rate of $24 per hour on average. 

Dental assistants work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, and public health facilities. The hourly salary for dental assistants varies across states due to the cost of living and other factors. In 2017, they earned an average hourly wage of $15.01 in California while they earned an average hourly wage of $10.71 in Florida.

Dental assistants are in high demand in the US, as they provide a wide range of services to dentists and their patients. They can work in a variety of settings, including private dental offices, hospitals, schools, and universities.

The average dental assistant salary ranges from $30,000 to $40,000 per year.

In Texas for example the average salary is around $38,000 per year. In California, it is around $29,000 per year. This difference can be explained by the cost of living and how competitive the job market is in each state.

How much do dental assistants make in California? 

If you live in California and want to become a dental assistant, you can expect to get $22.22 per hour, according to indeed.com. 

You will need to fulfil a few prerequisites first, though. Therefore, you may need to meet the following requirements in order to work as a dental assistant, and you must do so to earn competitive pay that is on par with that of other well-known and experienced dental assistants in California.

The most important thing is to pass an academic program with distinction in a community or technical college. When the time comes for you to get employment, this will greatly benefit you. Additionally, you will be required to complete an internship where you may hone your abilities in the various facets of dentistry, including oral anatomy, chairside assisting, and dental pathology.

One mandatory requirement is to earn a California state certification through the California Dental Board where you want to work. You must pass the Dental Assistant National Board’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) test to become a certified dental assistant (DANB).

The process is not over yet; you must also pass the DANB’s National Entry Level Dental Assistant test in order to obtain additional certification and license.

Get an entry-level job in your field of interest to start your journey and gain practical work experience. As a resident of California, when you start working as a dental assistant you will likely get $18 per hour as a starting salary if you have a good educational record and you can prove yourself an expert dentist assistant. 

How much do dental assistants make in Texas? 

As of 2021, the average Dental Assistant pay in Texas was $38,370 ($18.45 per hour), with a normal range of $29,750 to $45,280. Salary ranges for dental assistants might differ significantly based on a variety of essential aspects, including schooling, certifications, supplementary abilities, and years of experience.

According to the statistics, 10% of the dental assistants in Texas earn $28000 per year while 20% of the dental assistants in Texas earn $29000 per year. On the other hand, 50% of the dental assistants in Texas make more than $37000 per year. So you can expect to get a competitive salary as a dental assistant in Texas.  

How much do dental assistants make in Florida?

As of 2021, Florida’s average Dental Assistant income was $40,820 ($19.63 per hour), while actual salaries frequently ranged from $36,970 to $47,420. Salary ranges for dental assistants might differ significantly based on a variety of essential aspects, including schooling, certifications, supplementary abilities, and years of experience.

So when you are in Florida, your salary will continue to rise with an increase in your qualifications, expertise, and experience. 

It would be right to say that the state of Florida provides a bit more opportunities as compared to other states because dental assistants face a lot of competition here and are very competent. 

Final Verdict  

We have clearly answered, “How much do dental assistants make in a month?”. You can get quantitative and qualitative information in this article, especially if you want to know the overall earnings of dental assistants living in Texas, Florida, and California. From the whole discussion, you can easily understand that your turn can earn anywhere around $40000 per year while working as a dental assistant in the US. 

So if you were already searching about the scope of dental assistants in the US, this post must have helped you a lot. If you still have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below and we will guide you. 

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