National Salary Overview
VS
Dental Assistants earns $5,828 more (13.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$43,271
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$44,310
Total Employment
384,650
33,860
States with Higher Pay
31
7
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides
Showing 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 31 states; Psychiatric Aides pays more in 7.
| State | Dental Assistants | Psychiatric Aides | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $27,150 | +$11,930 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $49,300 | +$8,410 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $36,270 | +$6,560 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $47,500 | +$2,610 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $46,130 | +$2,210 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $44,660 | +$12,190 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $37,930 | +$9,690 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $36,790 | +$10,050 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $52,310 | $-7,590 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $48,670 | $-60 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $44,860 | +$3,810 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $39,260 | +$9,170 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $38,610 | +$9,120 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $30,030 | +$14,060 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $46,720 | +$13,350 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $51,440 | $-2,820 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $45,300 | +$12,680 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $45,800 | +$3,020 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $55,040 | +$10,230 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $30,510 | +$8,650 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $39,840 | +$6,130 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $46,340 | +$340 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $51,400 | $-4,290 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $45,780 | +$3,610 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $50,220 | $-2,110 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $38,400 | +$11,980 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $38,480 | +$9,490 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $44,960 | +$780 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $48,300 | +$11,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $44,790 | +$3,140 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $51,100 | $-950 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $36,320 | +$11,000 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $42,560 | +$2,870 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $40,810 | $-3,050 | ||
| Vermont | $52,760 | $47,860 | +$4,900 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $37,280 | +$9,390 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $52,570 | +$5,520 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $37,910 | +$50 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
On average across all states, a Dental Assistants earns more than a Psychiatric Aides. The national median salary difference is $5,828 (13.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Psychiatric Aides?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Psychiatric Aides in 31 out of 38 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Psychiatric Aides pays more in 7 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Psychiatric Aides?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $43,271 for a Psychiatric Aides, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 33,860 Psychiatric Aides positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Psychiatric Aides?
Both Dental Assistants and Psychiatric Aides 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 My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.