Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Hawaii
The median dental assistant earns $44,720 a year in Hawaii ($21.50 an hour), with the middle half earning between $37,580 and $48,120.[1]
25th percentile
$37,580
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$44,720
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$48,120
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $44,720 per year or $21.50/hr at the median. Hawaii runs about 7% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Hawaii
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 Hawaii earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Hawaii hourly | Hawaii annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $15.16 | $31,540 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $18.07 | $37,580 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $21.50 | $44,720 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $23.14 | $48,120 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $24.20 | $50,340 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $20.76 | $43,180 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Hawaii
1,960
3.12
1.25
How Hawaii compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $44,720 in Hawaii vs. $48,070 nationally, $3,350 (7%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $31,540 vs. $37,130, 15% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $50,340 vs. $62,250, 19% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5.7% in Hawaii vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Hawaii
All 2 Hawaii metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku | $46,320 | $41,460–$54,740 | 220 |
| Urban Honolulu | $42,750 | $37,580–$48,050 | 1,450 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Hawaii
Hawaii's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.7% over 2024–2034, from 1,650 to 1,740 jobs, with about 230 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 Hawaii
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 Hawaii: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Hawaii?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Hawaii was $44,720 ($21.50 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $37,580 and $48,120. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $31,540 and the top 10% earned over $50,340.
Do dental assistants in Hawaii earn more than the national median?
No. The Hawaii median of $44,720 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $3,350 (7%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Hawaii metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 2 Hawaii metro areas with published BLS data, Kahului-Wailuku has the highest median at $46,320 a year. Urban Honolulu has the lowest, at $42,750.
How many dental assistants work in Hawaii?
BLS estimates 1,960 dental assistants were employed in Hawaii in May 2025. That is 3.12 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.25, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Hawaii?
Hawaii's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 5.7% over 2024–2034, from 1,650 to 1,740 jobs. That works out to about 230 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Hawaii?
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Other roles in Hawaii
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, Hawaii long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants