Dental assistants
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$47,300
~$23/hr · ~$3,942/mo
US Jobs
382K
Faster than average
AI & Automation Risk
3/10
Low Risk
AI & Automation Risk
Low Risk 3/10
The core of the job involves physical, hands-on tasks such as sterilizing instruments, assisting in surgeries, and providing direct patient care that requires human presence and manual dexterity. While AI can significantly automate the administrative and digital aspects of the role—such as scheduling, billing, and preliminary X-ray analysis—the majority of the workday is spent in the physical dental operatory where AI cannot currently replace human labor.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato, MNBEST VALUE | $60,160 | Below avg (87.6) | $68,639 |
| Rochester, MN | $62,990 | Below avg (93.0) | $67,762 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $60,060 | Below avg (89.3) | $67,256 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $58,620 | Below avg (87.2) | $67,239 |
| Bismarck, ND | $59,480 | Below avg (89.4) | $66,567 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $54,640 | Below avg (85.9) | $63,602 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 | Above avg (104.3) | $62,664 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $59,790 | Average (100.8) | $59,343 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $50,500 | Below avg (88.2) | $57,226 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 | Above avg (113.1) | $57,138 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $59,440 | Above avg (104.4) | $56,960 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $62,620 | Above avg (110.3) | $56,797 |
| Reno, NV | $55,470 | Average (98.0) | $56,588 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $56,920 | Average (100.7) | $56,538 |
| Minot, ND | $49,600 | Below avg (88.7) | $55,929 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Postsecondary nondegree award
10-Year Growth
+6% (Faster than average)
Hourly Rate
~$23/hr
Monthly Income
~$3,942/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)