Dental Assistants Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$47,300
↑ 38.5% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Dental Assistants — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Dental Assistants — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 38.5% since 2011 ($34,140 → $47,300)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $47,300
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 2.7% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -6%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $47,300 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $46,540 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $44,820 | +15.9% |
| 2021 | $38,660 | -6.1% |
| 2020 | $41,180 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | $40,080 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | $38,660 | +2.7% |
| 2017 | $37,630 | +1.9% |
| 2016 | $36,940 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | $35,980 | +1.7% |
| 2014 | $35,390 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | $34,900 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | $34,500 | +1.1% |
| 2011 | $34,140 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.