EN

Occupation · SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistants

There are 387,790 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $48,070 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Healthcare SupportTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
387,790
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$48,070
Median pay a year
Middle half: $44,340–$58,090
53,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +7.4%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 388 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,900 · LCA filings 021,090$46,9000
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $48,430 · LCA filings 020,870$48,4300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $48,950 · LCA filings 010,490$48,9500
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $47,860 · LCA filings 09,180$47,8600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $47,570 · LCA filings 09,010$47,5700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $47,540 · LCA filings 08,440$47,5400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $43,730 · LCA filings 08,150$43,7300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $64,390 · LCA filings 07,530$64,3900
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $58,160 · LCA filings 07,190$58,1600
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $62,040 · LCA filings 07,100$62,0400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 2,870 · LCA filings 0$74,6002,8700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 3,910 · LCA filings 0$72,3703,9100
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 7,530 · LCA filings 0$64,3907,5300
Rochester, MNEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$63,4503200
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 7,100 · LCA filings 0$62,0407,1000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $45,011 · Level III $48,984 · Level IV $52,978$41,018$45,011$48,984$52,978
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $45,510 · Level III $51,501 · Level IV $57,470$39,541$45,510$51,501$57,470
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $45,573 · Level III $50,336 · Level IV $55,078$40,830$45,573$50,336$55,078
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $44,845 · Level III $48,589 · Level IV $52,333$41,101$44,845$48,589$52,333
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $43,659 · Level III $47,736 · Level IV $51,792$39,603$43,659$47,736$51,792
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $44,990 · Level III $50,398 · Level IV $55,786$39,603$44,990$50,398$55,786
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $38,522 · Level III $42,973 · Level IV $47,424$34,070$38,522$42,973$47,424
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $58,261 · Level III $64,834 · Level IV $71,427$51,667$58,261$64,834$71,427
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $52,645 · Level III $57,470 · Level IV $62,317$47,798$52,645$57,470$62,317
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $53,914 · Level III $59,592 · Level IV $65,291$48,214$53,914$59,592$65,291

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.06OPT · up to 12 months152OPT · up to 12 months

See Dental Assistants in every metro area

All 388 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Healthcare Support

Home Health and Personal Care AidesNursing AssistantsMedical AssistantsVeterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersMassage TherapistsPhysical Therapist AssistantsPhlebotomistsHealthcare Support Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology