How much does a registered dental assistant make?

As of 2012, a registered dental assistant makes approximately $34,000 a year, or roughly $16.59 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The actual pay for a dental assistant may vary depending on the state the person lives in and the dentist office where that person is employed.

Depending on where a person lives, there may be several ways to become a dental assistant. In some states, potential dental assistants must graduate from an accredited dental assistant program and pass a state exam before they are allowed to work in a dentist’s office as an assistant. Other states do not require any formal training according to the BLS.