Taken Directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics web site at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm   

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Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments.

Quick Facts: Dental Assistants

2015 Median Pay $35,980 per year 
$17.30 per hour

Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award

Work Experience in a Related Occupation   None

On-the-job Training   None

Number of Jobs, 2014   318,800

Job Outlook, 2014-24    18% (Much faster than average)

Employment Change, 2014-24   58,600

What Dental Assistants Do

Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.

Work Environment

Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices. Most work full time.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

There are several possible paths to becoming a dental assistant. Some states require assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements.

Pay

The median annual wage for dental assistants was $35,980 in May 2015.

Job Outlook

Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental assistants.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental assistants with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about dental assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.