Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Alaska
The median dental assistant earns $57,710 a year in Alaska ($27.74 an hour), with the middle half earning between $47,480 and $61,370.[1]
25th percentile
$47,480
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$57,710
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$61,370
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $57,710 per year or $27.74/hr at the median. Alaska runs about 20% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Alaska
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in Alaska earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Alaska hourly | Alaska annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $19.38 | $40,300 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $22.83 | $47,480 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $27.74 | $57,710 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $29.51 | $61,370 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $30.18 | $62,780 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $26.55 | $55,220 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Alaska
1,140
3.50
1.40
How Alaska compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $57,710 in Alaska vs. $48,070 nationally, $9,640 (20%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $40,300 vs. $37,130, 9% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $62,780 vs. $62,250, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.4% in Alaska vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Alaska
All 2 Alaska metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $57,710 | $47,300–$61,780 | 640 |
| Fairbanks-College | $56,810 | $47,430–$59,030 | 140 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Alaska
Alaska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 9.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,190 to 1,300 jobs, with about 170 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in Alaska
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Assistant salary in Alaska: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Alaska?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Alaska was $57,710 ($27.74 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $47,480 and $61,370. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $40,300 and the top 10% earned over $62,780.
Do dental assistants in Alaska earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Alaska median of $57,710 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $9,640 (20%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Alaska metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 2 Alaska metro areas with published BLS data, Anchorage has the highest median at $57,710 a year. Fairbanks-College has the lowest, at $56,810.
How many dental assistants work in Alaska?
BLS estimates 1,140 dental assistants were employed in Alaska in May 2025. That is 3.50 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.40, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Alaska?
Alaska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 9.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,190 to 1,300 jobs. That works out to about 170 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Alaska?
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Other roles in Alaska
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Alaska long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants