Calculating the Dentist Assistant Salary
A dental assistant salary will depend upon a number of factors including amount of experience, amount of training, type of place you work and even the state in which you work. The average yearly salary is typically between $24,000 and $35,000. You may start at an hourly rate of a little more than $11 and eventually work your way to more than $16 an hour.
Assistants with specialized functions may earn more than those who primarily perform functions not directly related to the actual dental practice. Furthermore, assistants who take the next step and get certification have more room for job advancement and increased salaries. However, competition for jobs is stiffest in the places that have many dental health programs in the area, so you may be in a better position to negotiate a higher salary in areas where dental assistants are scarce and in demand.
Dental assistants work in a number of healthcare professions, but the most popular industries tend to be dental prosthetic services, family dentistry, healthcare, orthodontics and pediatric offices. The salaries of these industries are similar as they start out a little less than $12 an hour and may increase to just under the national average of about $16. Furthermore, North Carolina tends to have many cities with the highest hourly rate in the country for dental assistants with cities in the state occupying the top six slots and another rounding out the top ten.
You can also increase your chances of a higher salary with degrees and/or certification. Someone with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology may start off around $10 an hour and may eventually work up to $15. However, a certificate of completion can get you started above the average hourly salary with around $12 and can eventually earn you a slightly higher salary than you would have with a BS. You can also command a fair salary with an Associate of Applied Science and a high school diploma. However, becoming a Certified Dental Assistant offers you the best chance of a good starting salary next to the certificate of completion.