Dental Assistant Salary: Top Five Highest Paying States and Metropolitan Areas
Trends show that the dental assistant salary is supposed raise dramatically over the next seven years or so.Most jobs industries in the economy are suffering today, however, the dentistry field is exploding. Researchers for the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected in 2010 that this industry is expected to grow approximately 40 percent by the year 2018. With the number of dental assistant jobs totaling almost 300,000, this would mean 120,000 jobs are expected to become available. An increase in demand for these job positions would cause a huge increase in the salaries paid to individuals in this field.
There are a few statistics that might be of importance to those seeking positions in this industry. The vast majority of individuals that enter the oral assistant position wind up working in a local clinic or dentist office. However, these individuals can earn more money by working for hospitals or the federal government if the opportunity becomes available. The dental assistant salary for working in these environments yield about $4,000 more per year than those who work for a local dentist office.
Another important statistic for those looking to enter the dental industry is the states that employ the highest number of jobs for this position. California, as of 2010, had the largest amount of people employed with around 44,400. Texas followed with around 20,800 people employed as assistants. Then New York, Florida, and Illinois followed with between 17,000 and 11,000 people employed.
The top five states that had the largest dental assistant salary are:
District of Columbia
District of Columbia employs nearly 430 people that on average earned $47,600 each year.
Alaska
Alaska has around 1,140 employees that average around $42,000 per year.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire employs nearly 1,540 people who make an average of $41,640 per year.
Minnesota
Minnesota has around 5,320 employees that earn an average of $41,100 each year.
Connecticut
Connecticut has around 3,760 people employed who earn an average of $40,180 per year.
The top five metropolitan areas that had the highest dental assistant salary are:
Manchester, NH
Manchester employs nearly 210 individuals that make an average of $46,800 per year.
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa has around 740 employees that earn a yearly average of $44,700.
Barnstable Town, MA
Barnstable Town has nearly 280 employees that make on average $44,570 each year.
Anchorage, AK
Anchorage has nearly 680 employees that earn around $43,700 on average each year.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco employs nearly 2,670 people that make an average of $43,600 per year.
These metropolitan areas and states are some of the top places that will yield the largest average dental assistant salary. The dental industry has a wonderful projection in future years, even as the economy continues to struggle.
Dental Assistant Salary: Statistics And Predictions For The Salary In This Career
The subject of this article is the dental assistant salary. The demand for dental assistants across the U.S is rapidly increasing each year with estimates showing that this field should expand by nearly 40 percent in the next seven years. With 300,000 positions already filled in this field, this expansion would create around 120,000 more jobs for individuals. As the demand in this field increases, this would also mean an increase for this position's salary too.
2010 records from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the average oral assistant salary was around $16.40 per hour and near $34,100 for the year. The bottom ten percent in this field averaged $10.90 hourly and $22,680 annually, while the top ten percent averaged $22.64 hourly and $47,090 annually.
There are several factors that cause the large differences towards the dental assistant salary. The level of education an individual has and the amount of experience they earn can certainly effect the amount of money that individual earns in their career. Of course, entry-level dental assistants will not earn nearly as much money as a tenured assistant. Also, those individuals who earn degrees are also usually earning more income than those who received certificates or diplomas from dental programs.
Another contributing factor is the state in which they practice can differ vastly in the salaries they produce for this field. The demand level of this particular position in each state, and the area of the country that each state lies will both impact the dental assistant salary. For this position, the top five average highest earnings by state are:
District of Columbia- $22.90/hour $47,630/annually
Alaska- $20.20/hour $42,020/annually
New Hampshire- $20.02/hour $41,640/annually
Minnesota- $19.79/hour $41,170/annually
Connecticut- $19.32/hour $40,180/annually
Another factor in determining a dental assistant salary is the actual environment that the dental assistants work in. The different job industries all yield different incomes each year. Specialty hospitals and government jobs usually tend to bring bigger incomes than the same jobs in dental offices. The industries with the largest average earnings are:
Specialty Hospitals- $18.58/hour $38,650/annually
Federal Executive Branch- $18.33/hour $38,130/annually
State Government- $17.14/hour $35,650/annually
Psychiatric/ Substance Abuse Hospitals- $17.12/hour $36,610/annually
General Medical/ Surgical Hospitals- $17.12/hour $36,610/annually
While these numbers show the estimated average earnings for each job industry in different states, one must also take into account the multiple benefits that are associated with being a dental assistant. Some of the benefits that oral assistants receive are big discounts on various dental procedures and even paid vacations. This again is varied from state to state and relies heavily on whether you are a full-time employee or not.
Regardless of the numbers, the dental assistant salary far outweighs the training necessary for this position. With these wages expected to rise, I image there will be a large increase in dental assistants across the country.
Factors That Affect Dental Assistant Salary
Seriously considering going to school and earning a degree so you can become an oral hygienist? You're probably wondering about the kind of dental assistant salary you stand to make as an oral hygienist. When you're considering a career in the healthcare industry, it's smart to consider your employment prospects and compensation. Time, study, and dedication are all required if you want to become an oral hygienist. Statistics show that it's a win-win for you if you decide to invest your money in getting an education to become an oral hygienist. The average salary that oral hygienists earn is enough to support a family. The job prospects are bright too.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dental assistant salary that dental assistants make annually is $32,380. Moreover, it's reported that over 50% of dental assistants have an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance. It's also been found that nearly 90% of these professionals have paid vacations. It's obvious that employment in this field is pretty solid. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the employment market for dental care assistants is growing much more quickly than normal and that job prospects going into the future are excellent.
The salary of dental assistants varies depending on the place of employment. Overall, the highest compensation packages for dental assistants are offered by the federal government, so if your live where there are federal facilities, your job prospects are high. Privately-owned dental offices and surgical/medical facilities have the next highest compensation packages for dental assistants. A job in a surgical facility often requires several years experience working as an oral hygienist, so if this is your goal, it's a good idea to work a few years someplace else until you've gained enough experience.
A slightly lower dental assistant salary is usually offered at doctor's offices and universities/colleges compared to other places. However, you may find it beneficial to work in this type of setting. Some colleges and universities may offer programs in which you can continue your education while working for them. In addition, you're likely to have more time to go on vacation. It all depends on the class schedules and if they offer a medical/dental program. Private physicians' offices can be a great place to work, especially if you think you may be interested in other areas of the medical field.
No matter what your career goals in the dental industry are, becoming an oral hygienist and earning a dental assistant salary can provide a stepping stone to greater opportunities. Becoming an oral hygienist has excellent prospects in terms of employment. Positions for oral hygienists are in high demand, so even in recession, these professionals will find jobs. Dental assistants enjoy their careers and provide for their families in a fun, fast-paced environment.
Information on Rates and Factors That Affect Dental Assistant Salary
In general, a dental assistant makes $10 per hour, with the dental assistant salary amounting to a minimum of $24,000 per year. With experience, a dental assistant can earn more. Like any other profession, the amount that dental assistants receive as salaries depend on further qualifications and performance displayed over the years. In addition, the rates vary from one location to another.
Let's look at the figures up close:
Recent statistics reveal that half of American dental assistants make $30,000 to $37,000 annually. These figures can be further interpreted to imply that 25% of salaries fall below $30,000; likewise, 25% of salaries go beyond $37,000. Statistics further reveal that 10% of dental assistants have an annual dental assistant salary of $40,000.
The per hour rate is from $9.74 and $18.89. The overtime hourly rate is from $11.13 to $28.05. The average rate for a fresh graduate is $11.55 per hour. With more experience and service years, hourly rates can easily go beyond $20 an hour.
Dental assistant salary based on location:
The salaries received by dental assistants vary based on geographic location. Factors that contribute to this variance include demand for dental assistants and local factors. Comparing states, the average hourly earning of dental assistants employed in New York is $14.92. This hourly rate is about $2 more than the rate paid to dental assistants who work in California. These professionals are paid $12.96 an hour on average.
Comparisons of hourly rates between cities reveal greater variations as the city of New York on average offers $17.00 per hour. The city of Houston, on the other hand, is well below this average with $12.33 being paid to these professionals per hour. On average, dental assistants employed in the cities of Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Charlotte pull in an hourly rate of $16.
Other factors that affect dental assistant salary:
Dental assistants have control over the level of education and certifications they receive. Getting the proper training at reputable institutions widen the opportunity for being hired in better-paying dental clinics. Their salary is going to increase too if they diligently acquire relevant certifications as they work. Of course, experience acquired through the years of practicing the profession as well as excellent display of performance in the actual working area provide greater chances of being promoted to more decent annual salaries and incentives.
As the profession's popularity continues to grow, the dental assistant salary will become more standardized. As their roles are becoming more recognized in the field of dentistry, so does the demand for the dental assistant profession making it a very promising career path.