What does a dental assistant do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Dental assistants care for patients, keep records and schedule appointments in dental offices, and their duties vary by state. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education. The median pay is $48,070 per year (May 2025).
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 31-9091 |
| O*NET code | 31-9091.00 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Median annual wage | $48,070 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | 7 percent (much faster than average), 2025 to 2035 |
| Number of jobs | 388,600 (2025) |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.
What does a dental assistant do?
BLS says dental assistants have many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping and appointment scheduling, and that duties vary by state and by the dentist's office. Typical tasks include making patients comfortable in the chair, preparing patients and the work area, sterilizing instruments, handing instruments to the dentist, drying patients' mouths with suction, teaching oral hygiene, processing x-rays and doing lab tasks under a dentist's direction, keeping treatment records, scheduling and helping with billing.
Work environment
Almost all dental assistants work in dentists' offices, and most work full time. Some work evenings or weekends.
Education, training and licensing
BLS says some states require dental assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. States typically do not require licenses for entry-level dental assistants. Because rules differ, check your state dental board before you enroll in a program.
Skills that matter
BLS lists detail orientation (infection control protocols), dexterity, interpersonal skills, listening skills and organizational skills as important qualities for this work.
How much does a dental assistant make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $48,070 for dental assistants (May 2025). The median is the wage at which half of workers earned more and half earned less. See the OOH pay tab and the OEWS data for your area. Our guide to researching pay explains how to read the figures.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of dental assistants to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, which BLS labels much faster than average. For comparison, BLS projects 3 percent growth for all occupations over the same period. About 53,000 openings are projected each year on average.
How to get hired
- Check your state dental board for whether an accredited program or exam is required.
- Show results on your resume: the tools you used, the volume you handled and the outcomes, without private customer or employer details.
- If you lack experience, see the no-experience resume guide.
- Practice with the interview prep hub.
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Dental hygienists, Dentists, Medical assistants, Phlebotomists.
Frequently asked questions
Do dental assistants need a license? BLS says states typically do not require licenses for entry-level dental assistants, but some states require graduation from an accredited program and an exam. Check your state dental board.
What do dental assistants do day to day? They prepare patients and the work area, sterilize instruments, assist the dentist during procedures, process x-rays under direction, keep records and handle scheduling and billing, per BLS.
How much do dental assistants make? BLS reports a median annual wage of $48,070 for dental assistants (May 2025). Half of workers earned more and half earned less. Pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Is dental assistant a good career? BLS projects 7 percent growth from 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average). About 53,000 openings are projected each year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, so read the duties and work environment above.
Related guides
- What Does a Dental Hygienist Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Dentist Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Medical Assistant Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Phlebotomist Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental assistants: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 31-9091.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.