How much are dental assistants generally paid?

As of September 2015, the average hourly wage for dental assistants in the United States is $15.05. Yearly salaries are around $22,000 at the low end and $44,000 on the high end.

Final wages are often somewhat higher for dental assistants who receive yearly bonuses or profit sharing payments. Differences in wages are also due to differences in the cost of living. Dental assistants who earn the title of Registered Dental Hygienist often receive higher pay, as do those with skills in ordering inventory, periodontics, oral surgery and scheduling. Registered dental hygienists have an average salary of $67,000 per year.