Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in District of Columbia
The median dental assistant earns $60,580 a year in District of Columbia ($29.13 an hour), with the middle half earning between $58,590 and $74,220.[1]
25th percentile
$58,590
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$60,580
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$74,220
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $60,580 per year or $29.13/hr at the median. District of Columbia runs about 26% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | District of Columbia hourly | District of Columbia annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.85 | $47,530 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $28.17 | $58,590 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $29.13 | $60,580 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $35.68 | $74,220 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $36.04 | $74,960 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $30.46 | $63,360 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in District of Columbia
630
0.90
0.36
How District of Columbia compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $60,580 in District of Columbia vs. $48,070 nationally, $12,510 (26%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $47,530 vs. $37,130, 28% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $74,960 vs. $62,250, 20% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5.7% in District of Columbia vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in District of Columbia
BLS publishes one District of Columbia metro area for this role.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $47,540 | $44,240–$58,790 | 8,440 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in District of Columbia
District of Columbia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.7% over 2024–2034, from 510 to 540 jobs, with about 70 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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in District of Columbia was $60,580 ($29.13 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $58,590 and $74,220. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,530 and the top 10% earned over $74,960.
Do dental assistants in District of Columbia earn more than the national median?
Yes. The District of Columbia median of $60,580 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $12,510 (26%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
How many dental assistants work in District of Columbia?
BLS estimates 630 dental assistants were employed in District of Columbia in May 2025. That is 0.90 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.36, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.7% over 2024–2034, from 510 to 540 jobs. That works out to about 70 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in District of Columbia?
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Keep exploring
Other roles in District of Columbia
- Dental Hygienist salary in District of Columbia
- Dentist salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Specialist salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Front Office salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Office Manager salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in District of Columbia
- Dental Lab Technician salary in District of Columbia
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, District of Columbia long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants