Dental Assistant salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A dental assistant earns a median of $48,070 a year ($23.11 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $50,200. About 387,790 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $48,070
- Gross pay
- $1,848.85
- Federal income tax
- −$138.02
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$114.63
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$26.81
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,569.39
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $48,070
- Federal
- $3,588
- FICA
- $3,677
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $40,804
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Dental Assistant salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $64,740 | 5,980 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $63,360 | 630 |
| Maine | $60,070 | $57,140 | 1,550 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $57,200 | 1,600 |
| Oregon | $59,490 | $60,110 | 5,930 |
| Washington | $58,090 | $56,680 | 13,050 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $56,640 | 9,680 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $56,450 | 860 |
| Alaska | $57,710 | $55,220 | 1,140 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $53,970 | 3,840 |
| Vermont | $52,760 | $54,550 | 580 |
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $51,510 | 11,450 |
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $52,790 | 1,050 |
| California | $50,110 | $54,710 | 56,220 |
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $52,940 | 9,990 |
| Arizona | $49,000 | $50,280 | 8,680 |
| Michigan | $48,820 | $49,650 | 11,990 |
| Indiana | $48,670 | $50,480 | 6,690 |
| Maryland | $48,620 | $50,720 | 6,560 |
| Illinois | $48,610 | $48,990 | 13,740 |
| Iowa | $48,430 | $50,450 | 3,210 |
| Colorado | $48,340 | $50,230 | 8,360 |
| New York | $48,110 | $49,820 | 19,800 |
| Ohio | $47,970 | $52,370 | 12,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $50,130 | 12,080 |
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $50,170 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $48,440 | 4,530 |
| Florida | $47,620 | $48,500 | 26,620 |
| Delaware | $47,600 | $47,520 | 990 |
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $49,150 | 7,760 |
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $47,310 | 5,530 |
| Nevada | $47,110 | $45,880 | 4,230 |
| Georgia | $46,840 | $46,870 | 10,540 |
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $49,670 | 7,420 |
| Montana | $46,680 | $47,180 | 1,450 |
| Virginia | $46,670 | $47,490 | 10,760 |
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $46,430 | 2,520 |
| Missouri | $45,970 | $46,790 | 6,760 |
| Idaho | $45,880 | $47,250 | 2,680 |
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $44,790 | 4,550 |
| Texas | $45,430 | $44,830 | 33,230 |
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $44,100 | 630 |
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $43,180 | 1,960 |
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $45,130 | 2,150 |
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $42,540 | 4,540 |
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $42,130 | 2,950 |
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $42,910 | 3,080 |
| Alabama | $39,080 | $41,710 | 3,740 |
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $41,280 | 1,290 |
| Utah | $37,760 | $40,550 | 6,640 |
Similar jobs
- Healthcare Support Worker: $48,430
- Medical Equipment Preparer: $47,700
- Medical Assistant: $45,690
- Phlebotomist: $45,230
- Psychiatric Aide: $44,910
- CNA: $42,260
- Medical Transcriptionist: $40,410
- Occupational Therapy Aide: $39,160
BLS occupation: Dental Assistants. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $23.11; the average is $24.13.
Which state pays dental assistants the most?
Minnesota ($65,270 median), followed by District of Columbia and Maine.
What is the salary range for a dental assistant?
The bottom 10% earn under $37,130 and the top 10% earn over $62,250 a year.
How much is $48,070 after taxes?
About $40,804 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $39,256 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.