According to U.S News & World Report, dental assisting is ranked among the top 25 best health care support jobs in the United States, based on factors such as median salary, future job prospects, and more.
Dental assisting is a career that’s in high demand and is expected to grow over the next decade. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. As dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed.”
The BLS reports that the median annual salary for dental assistants in the U.S. was $36,940 in May 2016. Payscale.com shows the average pay for a Dental Assistant in Detroit, Michigan to be $14.94.
* https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Dental_Assistant/Hourly_Rate/d1c4499a/Detroit-MI
Hourly wage for Dental Assistant | Salary.com
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September 28, 2018, the average Dental Assistant salary in Michigan is $35,444 to $39,189. As with any career, your annual salary will increase as your skillsets & competencies improve. The quicker one can become more proficient, the quicker their salary will increase. SPS’s recruiting department has received several Permanent Job Postings in 2018 & 2019 from clients willing to pay $19 – $23 per hour for a seasoned dental assistant that is very proficient in his/her assisting and communication skills. These clients were more interested in the skill sets of the dental assistant, rather than their years of experience.
The chart posted below from Payscale.com shows a positive trend between the experience level of dental assistant and their annual salary. An entry-level dental assistant, under 5 years of experience, can expect to earn an average of $25,000. A dental assistant with over 8 years of experience can expect to earn an average of $34,000.
According to the American Dental Association, a career in dental assisting offers a number of career advantages, including:
- Variety: A challenging but rewarding career, dental assisting demands versatility and being able to take responsibility for many different tasks.
- Flexibility: With dental assistants being high in demand, there are options for both full-time and part-time positions that offer flexibility.
- Excellent working conditions: Most dental offices are set in pleasant and people-orientated environments, and this allows for excellent work conditions.
- Personal satisfaction: Dental assisting also requires face-to-face interactions with people. These interactions help give dental assistants a sense of personal satisfaction because they’ve provided important healthcare services.
