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.
What does a Dental Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,190
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,520
25th percentile
Median
$47,300
50th percentile
Experienced
$56,910
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,780
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,190
25th
$39,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,300
Mean: $48,860
75th
$56,910
90th
$61,780
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,590 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,520 and $56,910
- •Salary spread is 36.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 375,430 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:381,900
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services95.6%
Offices of Dentists91.5%
Offices of Physicians2.1%
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
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Dental Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
54,580 jobs$48,9101.24x
Texas
31,360 jobs$42,2700.93x
Florida
23,020 jobs$47,0600.96x
New York
19,700 jobs$47,0200.85x
Illinois
15,620 jobs$47,4301.06x
Washington
13,330 jobs$57,0401.55x
Pennsylvania
12,410 jobs$48,2900.85x
Michigan
11,830 jobs$47,0301.11x
Ohio
11,130 jobs$47,3300.83x
North Carolina
11,100 jobs$48,7100.93x
Virginia
11,040 jobs$46,9101.12x
New Jersey
10,660 jobs$48,0701.03x
Georgia
9,730 jobs$45,6000.82x
Massachusetts
9,250 jobs$57,9601.04x
Colorado
7,720 jobs$47,7701.10x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Instructing
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Service Orientation
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Instructing
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Athletic Trainers82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Dietetic Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Dental Assistants
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Henry Schein Dentrix
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Henry Schein Dentrix
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (9)Training & Development (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Record treatment information in patient records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Clean and polish removable appliances.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Dental Assistants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Dental Assistants professionals typically have a CRS Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Dental Assistants
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.54
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.54
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.44
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.41
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.36
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
Persistence
4.1
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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