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.
Dental Assistants
SOC: 31-9091 O*NET: 31-9091.00
Median Salary
$47,300
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
52.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
Overview
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$28,380
25th
$37,840
50th (Median)
$47,300
75th
$56,760
90th
$70,950
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
Job Market Intelligence
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:381,900
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6.4%
Annual Openings:52,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)381,900
Current
2034 (Projected)406,300
+6.4%
+24,400
Employment Change
+6.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
Top Skills
✓
Active Listening
Active Listening
✓
Speaking
Speaking
✓
Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
✓
Instructing
Instructing
✓
Monitoring
Monitoring
✓
Active Learning
Active Learning
✓
Service Orientation
Service Orientation
✓
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness
✓
Writing
Writing
✓
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Key Knowledge Areas
✓
Customer and Personal Service
✓
Medicine and Dentistry
✓
English Language
✓
Administration and Management
✓
Administrative
✓
Computers and Electronics
✓
Sales and Marketing
✓
Production and Processing
Education & Training
Education Required
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Experience Required
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Job Training
Training of more than one year