Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Louisiana
The median dental assistant earns $44,090 a year in Louisiana ($21.20 an hour), with the middle half earning between $36,590 and $46,630.[1]
25th percentile
$36,590
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$44,090
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$46,630
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $44,090 per year or $21.20/hr at the median. Louisiana runs about 8% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Louisiana
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 Louisiana earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Louisiana hourly | Louisiana annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $14.93 | $31,050 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $17.59 | $36,590 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $21.20 | $44,090 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $22.42 | $46,630 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $23.87 | $49,640 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $20.45 | $42,540 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Louisiana
4,540
2.35
0.94
How Louisiana compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $44,090 in Louisiana vs. $48,070 nationally, $3,980 (8%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $31,050 vs. $37,130, 16% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $49,640 vs. $62,250, 20% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -1.9% in Louisiana vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Louisiana
All 10 Louisiana metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | $45,950 | $37,040–$47,410 | 100 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | $45,920 | $37,610–$47,960 | 760 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $45,020 | $37,360–$48,030 | 370 |
| Lafayette | $44,940 | $35,280–$46,410 | 620 |
| Baton Rouge | $44,800 | $36,760–$46,280 | 950 |
| Alexandria | $43,270 | $36,160–$45,620 | 120 |
| Lake Charles | $40,200 | $35,020–$48,850 | 220 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $38,950 | $36,460–$46,530 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $37,870 | $36,520–$46,090 | 210 |
| Monroe | $37,020 | $35,000–$44,660 | 310 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Louisiana
Louisiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to change 1.9% over 2024–2034, from 4,510 to 4,420 jobs, with about 560 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 Louisiana
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.
For dental pros
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Dental Assistant salary in Louisiana: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Louisiana?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Louisiana was $44,090 ($21.20 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $36,590 and $46,630. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $31,050 and the top 10% earned over $49,640.
Do dental assistants in Louisiana earn more than the national median?
No. The Louisiana median of $44,090 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $3,980 (8%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Louisiana metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 10 Louisiana metro areas with published BLS data, Hammond has the highest median at $45,950 a year. Monroe has the lowest, at $37,020.
How many dental assistants work in Louisiana?
BLS estimates 4,540 dental assistants were employed in Louisiana in May 2025. That is 2.35 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.94, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Louisiana?
Louisiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to change 1.9% over 2024–2034, from 4,510 to 4,420 jobs. That works out to about 560 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Louisiana?
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Other roles in Louisiana
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, Louisiana long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants