Dental assistants have the highest annual mean wage in the state government sector, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The average annual wage for dental assistants across all industries and practice settings is $48,860.
The agency released updated compensation data in April to reflect 2024 information, the most recent available.
Here are the 10 highest-paying industries for dental assistants, along with the average annual salary:
- State government, excluding schools and hospitals: $58,320
- Home healthcare services: $57,860
- Management of companies and enterprises: $55,870
- Federal executive branch: $55,720
- Office administrative services: $55,200
- Grantmaking and giving services: $55,060
- Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals: $54,810
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $53,560
- Junior colleges (including private, state and local government owned): $51,970
- Employment services: $51,680
