National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $4,677 more (11.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$41,533
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$42,404
Total Employment
370,670
763,020
States with Higher Pay
47
4
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 47 states; Medical Assistants pays more in 4.
| State | Dental Assistants | Medical Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $34,050 | +$2,070 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $50,160 | +$1,660 | ||
| Arizona | $48,190 | $43,770 | +$4,420 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $35,050 | +$3,540 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $46,690 | +$1,520 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $45,770 | +$3,180 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $45,780 | +$3,730 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $40,250 | +$6,070 | ||
| District of Columbia | $52,880 | $48,710 | +$4,170 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $38,340 | +$8,260 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $38,060 | +$7,610 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,880 | $46,930 | $-2,050 | ||
| Idaho | $37,700 | $40,670 | $-2,970 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $42,850 | +$740 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $40,680 | +$5,700 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $42,980 | +$4,600 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $37,670 | +$1,620 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $37,140 | +$1,390 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $34,280 | +$3,900 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $44,610 | +$2,450 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $44,010 | +$3,910 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $47,770 | +$11,090 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $38,300 | +$7,440 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $48,890 | +$13,980 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $34,040 | +$2,670 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $38,260 | +$7,500 | ||
| Montana | $44,400 | $44,040 | +$360 | ||
| Nebraska | $44,480 | $39,870 | +$4,610 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $39,940 | +$6,390 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $46,240 | +$10,120 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $45,340 | +$1,450 | ||
| New Mexico | $38,480 | $37,640 | +$840 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $45,440 | +$150 | ||
| North Carolina | $47,000 | $40,190 | +$6,810 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,040 | $40,880 | +$16,160 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $38,280 | +$8,170 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $37,240 | +$1,700 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $48,350 | +$8,690 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $39,480 | +$7,200 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $43,980 | +$3,140 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $37,420 | +$9,070 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,490 | $36,280 | +$11,210 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $37,350 | +$7,840 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $37,570 | +$2,070 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $40,270 | $-3,130 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $44,480 | +$5,250 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $40,240 | +$7,760 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $52,600 | +$3,100 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $34,340 | +$3,020 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | $46,320 | $-350 | ||
| Wyoming | $47,450 | $38,730 | +$8,720 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Medical Assistants. The national median salary difference is $4,677 (11.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Medical Assistants?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Medical Assistants in 47 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Assistants pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $41,533 for a Medical Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 763,020 Medical Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants?
Both Dental Assistants and Medical Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.