National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $4,497 more (10.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$44,602
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$45,471
Total Employment
384,650
817,850
States with Higher Pay
43
7
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 43 states; Medical Assistants pays more in 7.
| State | Dental Assistants | Medical Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $36,100 | +$2,980 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $52,560 | +$5,150 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $45,940 | +$3,060 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $37,760 | +$5,070 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $49,660 | +$450 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $48,400 | $-60 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $47,430 | +$9,420 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $44,490 | +$3,110 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $51,050 | +$9,530 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $43,680 | +$3,940 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $41,600 | +$5,240 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $48,410 | $-3,690 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $44,700 | +$1,180 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $46,090 | +$2,520 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $45,110 | +$3,560 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $45,480 | +$2,950 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $39,270 | +$8,460 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $36,320 | +$7,770 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $47,580 | +$12,490 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $46,410 | +$2,210 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $49,460 | +$8,520 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $39,870 | +$8,950 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $50,480 | +$14,790 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $35,360 | +$3,800 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $40,440 | +$5,530 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $46,820 | $-140 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $47,370 | $-710 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $45,200 | +$1,910 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $48,020 | +$11,510 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $47,210 | +$2,180 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $39,230 | +$5,170 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $48,000 | +$110 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $45,140 | +$5,240 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $45,980 | +$11,790 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $42,810 | +$5,160 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $38,750 | +$6,990 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $50,410 | +$9,080 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $43,920 | +$4,010 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $47,190 | +$2,960 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $41,160 | +$6,160 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $41,870 | +$6,030 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $39,570 | +$7,150 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $39,520 | +$5,910 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $45,360 | $-7,600 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $47,250 | +$5,510 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $44,740 | +$1,930 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $59,290 | $-1,200 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $37,180 | +$780 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $48,680 | $-1,160 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $40,920 | +$4,070 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $4,497 (10.1%) based on 2025 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 43 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Assistants pays more in 7 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $44,602 for a Medical Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 817,850 Medical Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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