Average salary, compensation, and wages for Dental assistants in the United StatesMedian hourly earnings of dental assistants were $13.10 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.35 and $16.20 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.45, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.41 an hour. Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association, almost all full-time dental assistants employed by private practitioners received paid vacation time. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time and part-time dental assistants received dental coverage. More information on Dental assistants from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Dental assistants occupation Number of Dental assistants in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Dental assistants Working conditions for Dental assistants Significant points for Dental assistants Training requirements for Dental assistants Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |