Dental Assistant Salary With Associate’s Degree
The average dental assistant salary with an associate’s degree is $39,000. This amount can vary depending on the type of job you get, but overall it is a good starting point when figuring out what your salary should be.
Dental assistants are in high demand, which means that they have a lot of opportunities to work in different settings and work with different types of patients. The more experience you have as a dental assistant, the more opportunities you will have to increase your salary.
A dental assistant has a wide range of responsibilities, from taking patients’ vital signs to preparing patients for treatment to cleaning equipment. The average dental assistant salary is $33,000 a year as of 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you have an associate’s degree, you can expect to earn more than if you only have a high school diploma.
Dental assistants with associate’s degrees make an average annual salary of $42,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is about $10,000 more per year than those who only have a high school diploma or GED.
The difference in pay may seem small at first glance but it can add up over time and help offset some of the cost associated with tuition and other fees associated with earning your degree. In addition to higher wages, dental assistants also enjoy greater job security than those without any education beyond high school.
How long does it take?
You’ll need between two and four years of training before you can work as a dental assistant. Most programs offer either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in this field; however, some schools offer certificates instead of degrees.
Dental Assistant Salary With Associate’s Degree
Salaries for Dental Assistant with an Associate’s Degree
According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Dental Assistant with an Associate’s Degree is $38,960 – $41,506. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.Typical Education for Dental AssistantNo DiplomaHigh SchoolAssociatesBachelors
view as tableDental Assistant Salaries by Degree LevelAssociate’s DegreeBachelor’s DegreeMaster’s Degree or MBAJD, MD, PhD or Equivalent$38,500$39,000$39,500$40,000$40,500$41,000$41,500$42,000$42,500
| Dental Assistant with the following degree | Will likely fall in this salary range |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree | $38,960 – $41,506 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $39,167 – $41,707 |
| Master’s Degree or MBA | $39,513 – $42,042 |
| JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent | $39,652 – $42,177 |
Associate’s Degree, Dental Assisting Jobs by Hourly Rate
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $13 – $24 | $18 |
| Orthodontic Assistant | $17 – $30 (Estimated *) | $22 |
| Dental Assistant Lead | $16 – $27 (Estimated *) | $21 |
| Dental Assistant, Registered Expanded Function (RDAEF) | $17 – $31 (Estimated *) | $23 |
| Dental Office Manager | $15 – $26 (Estimated *) | $20 |
| Oral Surgery Assistant | $16 – $24 (Estimated *) | $19 |
| Benefits Coordinator | $14 – $24 (Estimated *) | $18 |
Associate’s Degree, Dental Assisting Jobs by Hourly Rate
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) | $17 – $30 (Estimated *) | $22 |
| Patient Coordinator | $9 – $15 (Estimated *) | $12 |
| Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery Assistant | $13 – $20 (Estimated *) | $17 |
| Office Manager | $18 – $36 (Estimated *) | $25 |
| Office Coordinator | $15 – $25 (Estimated *) | $19 |
| Housekeeper | $10 – $21 (Estimated *) | $14 |
| Scheduling Coordinator | $13 – $22 (Estimated *) | $17 |
Associate’s Degree, Dental Assisting Jobs by Hourly Rate
| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) | $16 – $26 (Estimated *) | $20 |
| Dental Receptionist | $14 – $23 (Estimated *) | $19 |
| Dental Assistant (Registered) | $14 – $23 (Estimated *) | $18 |
| Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist | $22 – $34 (Estimated *) | $26 |
| Clinical Coordinator | $19 – $37 (Estimated *) | $27 |
| Housing Specialist | $13 – $21 (Estimated *) | $17 |
| Vice President (VP), Operations | $14 – $39 (Estimated *) | $24 |
