National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $7,287 more (17.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$41,812
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$42,553
Total Employment
384,650
1,448,920
States with Higher Pay
47
3
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Nursing Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 47 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 3.
| State | Dental Assistants | Nursing Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $34,140 | +$4,940 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $46,370 | +$11,340 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $44,780 | +$4,220 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $34,430 | +$8,400 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $47,630 | +$2,480 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $47,380 | +$960 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $44,790 | +$12,060 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $42,030 | +$5,570 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $47,700 | +$12,880 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $37,510 | +$10,110 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $37,680 | +$9,160 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $45,350 | $-630 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $38,650 | +$7,230 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $45,960 | +$2,650 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $38,330 | +$10,340 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $39,350 | +$9,080 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $38,370 | +$9,360 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $30,510 | +$13,580 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $47,070 | +$13,000 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $43,240 | +$5,380 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $46,680 | +$11,300 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $39,570 | +$9,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $46,680 | +$18,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $31,520 | +$7,640 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $37,680 | +$8,290 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $40,900 | +$5,780 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $40,000 | +$6,660 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $45,490 | +$1,620 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $47,870 | +$11,660 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $46,830 | +$2,560 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $39,390 | +$5,010 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $48,590 | $-480 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $38,460 | +$11,920 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $45,820 | +$11,950 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $39,010 | +$8,960 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $35,930 | +$9,810 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $49,830 | +$9,660 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $44,590 | +$3,340 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $46,440 | +$3,710 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $37,220 | +$10,100 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $38,800 | +$9,100 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $37,990 | +$8,730 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $37,500 | +$7,930 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $39,840 | $-2,080 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $47,130 | +$5,630 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $43,200 | +$3,470 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $49,180 | +$8,910 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $36,720 | +$1,240 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $45,130 | +$2,390 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $39,160 | +$5,830 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Nursing Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $7,287 (17.4%) based on 2025 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 47 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $41,812 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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