National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $7,563 more (19.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$46,211
$38,647
Average (Mean) Salary
$46,931
$39,464
Total Employment
370,670
1,351,770
States with Higher Pay
49
2
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Nursing Assistants
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 49 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 2.
| State | Dental Assistants | Nursing Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,120 | $30,540 | +$5,580 | ||
| Alaska | $51,820 | $45,480 | +$6,340 | ||
| Arizona | $48,190 | $39,920 | +$8,270 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,590 | $31,230 | +$7,360 | ||
| California | $48,210 | $45,170 | +$3,040 | ||
| Colorado | $48,950 | $42,520 | +$6,430 | ||
| Connecticut | $49,510 | $40,890 | +$8,620 | ||
| Delaware | $46,320 | $38,240 | +$8,080 | ||
| District of Columbia | $52,880 | $46,220 | +$6,660 | ||
| Florida | $46,600 | $36,340 | +$10,260 | ||
| Georgia | $45,670 | $34,710 | +$10,960 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,880 | $44,080 | +$800 | ||
| Idaho | $37,700 | $37,120 | +$580 | ||
| Illinois | $43,590 | $39,510 | +$4,080 | ||
| Indiana | $46,380 | $36,790 | +$9,590 | ||
| Iowa | $47,580 | $37,340 | +$10,240 | ||
| Kansas | $39,290 | $35,450 | +$3,840 | ||
| Kentucky | $38,530 | $36,510 | +$2,020 | ||
| Louisiana | $38,180 | $29,070 | +$9,110 | ||
| Maine | $47,060 | $43,120 | +$3,940 | ||
| Maryland | $47,920 | $38,620 | +$9,300 | ||
| Massachusetts | $58,860 | $44,200 | +$14,660 | ||
| Michigan | $45,740 | $37,940 | +$7,800 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,870 | $41,940 | +$20,930 | ||
| Mississippi | $36,710 | $29,310 | +$7,400 | ||
| Missouri | $45,760 | $36,260 | +$9,500 | ||
| Montana | $44,400 | $37,970 | +$6,430 | ||
| Nebraska | $44,480 | $37,530 | +$6,950 | ||
| Nevada | $46,330 | $42,200 | +$4,130 | ||
| New Hampshire | $56,360 | $43,940 | +$12,420 | ||
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $41,450 | +$5,340 | ||
| New Mexico | $38,480 | $35,400 | +$3,080 | ||
| New York | $45,590 | $45,890 | $-300 | ||
| North Carolina | $47,000 | $36,010 | +$10,990 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,040 | $40,650 | +$16,390 | ||
| Ohio | $46,450 | $38,030 | +$8,420 | ||
| Oklahoma | $38,940 | $33,320 | +$5,620 | ||
| Oregon | $57,040 | $46,260 | +$10,780 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,680 | $38,540 | +$8,140 | ||
| Rhode Island | $47,120 | $41,600 | +$5,520 | ||
| South Carolina | $46,490 | $35,090 | +$11,400 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,490 | $35,720 | +$11,770 | ||
| Tennessee | $45,190 | $35,040 | +$10,150 | ||
| Texas | $39,640 | $35,110 | +$4,530 | ||
| Utah | $37,140 | $37,270 | $-130 | ||
| Vermont | $49,730 | $40,460 | +$9,270 | ||
| Virginia | $48,000 | $36,820 | +$11,180 | ||
| Washington | $55,700 | $46,000 | +$9,700 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,360 | $35,490 | +$1,870 | ||
| Wisconsin | $45,970 | $40,010 | +$5,960 | ||
| Wyoming | $47,450 | $36,710 | +$10,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $7,563 (19.6%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Nursing Assistants?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Nursing Assistants in 49 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $46,211 per year, compared to $38,647 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 370,670 Dental Assistants positions and 1,351,770 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
Both Dental Assistants and Nursing 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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