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Dental Assistants vs Medical Transcriptionists: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Dental Assistants

Median Salary
$49,100
Average (Mean)
$49,858
Employed Nationwide
384,650
VS

Medical Transcriptionists

Median Salary
$40,464
Average (Mean)
$41,711
Employed Nationwide
39,020
Dental Assistants earns $8,636 more (21.3%)
Dental Assistants vs Medical Transcriptionists national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Dental AssistantsDental AssistantsDental Assistants: $49,100$49,100Medical TranscriptionistsMedical TranscriptionistsMedical Transcriptionists: $40,464$40,464

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $49,100 $40,464
Average (Mean) Salary $49,858 $41,711
Total Employment 384,650 39,020
States with Higher Pay 46 3

Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Medical Transcriptionists

Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 46 states; Medical Transcriptionists pays more in 3.

State Dental Assistants Medical Transcriptionists Difference
Alabama $39,080
$35,340
+$3,740
Alaska $57,710
$48,360
+$9,350
Arizona $49,000
$36,550
+$12,450
Arkansas $42,830
$35,100
+$7,730
California $50,110
$45,050
+$5,060
Colorado $48,340
$43,080
+$5,260
Connecticut $56,850
$48,190
+$8,660
Delaware $47,600
$34,070
+$13,530
District of Columbia $60,580
$45,110
+$15,470
Florida $47,620
$42,050
+$5,570
Georgia $46,840
$28,330
+$18,510
Hawaii $44,720
$44,310
+$410
Idaho $45,880
$38,140
+$7,740
Illinois $48,610
$45,490
+$3,120
Indiana $48,670
$41,400
+$7,270
Iowa $48,430
$45,010
+$3,420
Kentucky $47,730
$39,000
+$8,730
Louisiana $44,090
$38,040
+$6,050
Maine $60,070
$48,600
+$11,470
Maryland $48,620
$39,900
+$8,720
Massachusetts $57,980
$36,910
+$21,070
Michigan $48,820
$37,280
+$11,540
Minnesota $65,270
$50,030
+$15,240
Mississippi $39,160
$38,600
+$560
Missouri $45,970
$37,480
+$8,490
Montana $46,680
$41,340
+$5,340
Nebraska $46,660
$45,880
+$780
Nevada $47,110
$39,350
+$7,760
New Jersey $49,390
$39,020
+$10,370
New Mexico $44,400
$37,480
+$6,920
New York $48,110
$43,260
+$4,850
North Carolina $50,380
$39,300
+$11,080
North Dakota $57,770
$44,660
+$13,110
Ohio $47,970
$37,060
+$10,910
Oklahoma $45,740
$27,740
+$18,000
Oregon $59,490
$46,280
+$13,210
Pennsylvania $47,930
$41,510
+$6,420
Rhode Island $50,150
$34,790
+$15,360
South Carolina $47,320
$33,870
+$13,450
South Dakota $47,900
$46,070
+$1,830
Tennessee $46,720
$44,720
+$2,000
Texas $45,430
$42,900
+$2,530
Utah $37,760
$39,630
$-1,870
Vermont $52,760
$33,030
+$19,730
Virginia $46,670
$35,130
+$11,540
Washington $58,090
$38,690
+$19,400
West Virginia $37,960
$37,440
+$520
Wisconsin $47,520
$49,150
$-1,630
Wyoming $44,990
$48,100
$-3,110

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Medical Transcriptionists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Medical Transcriptionists?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Medical Transcriptionists. The national median salary difference is $8,636 (21.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Medical Transcriptionists?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Medical Transcriptionists in 46 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Transcriptionists pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Medical Transcriptionists?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $40,464 for a Medical Transcriptionists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Medical Transcriptionists?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 39,020 Medical Transcriptionists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Medical Transcriptionists?
Both Dental Assistants and Medical Transcriptionists 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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