HandsOnward
Sign InBuild My Roadmap

Dental Assistants

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Compare to another career

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $48,070/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$37,130$62,250

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +6.4% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 52,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringInstructingService OrientationActive LearningCritical ThinkingWriting
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsSales and MarketingProduction and Processing
Core tasks

• Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.

• Record treatment information in patient records.

• Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.

• Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.

• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.

• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.

• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.

• Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Dental Assistants?

The median pay for Dental Assistants is $48,070 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Dental Assistants?

Employment for Dental Assistants is projected to change +6.4% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Dental Assistants?

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How many job openings are there each year for Dental Assistants?

About 52,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.