Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Maine
The median dental assistant earns $60,070 a year in Maine ($28.88 an hour), with the middle half earning between $49,250 and $61,510.[1]
25th percentile
$49,250
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$60,070
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$61,510
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $60,070 per year or $28.88/hr at the median. Maine runs about 25% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Maine
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 Maine earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Maine hourly | Maine annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.74 | $47,290 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $23.68 | $49,250 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $28.88 | $60,070 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $29.57 | $61,510 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $30.13 | $62,660 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $27.47 | $57,140 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Maine
1,550
2.42
0.97
How Maine compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $60,070 in Maine vs. $48,070 nationally, $12,000 (25%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $47,290 vs. $37,130, 27% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $62,660 vs. $62,250, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3.4% in Maine vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Maine
All 3 Maine metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $61,240 | $54,170–$61,520 | 830 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $57,650 | $49,400–$60,420 | 100 |
| Bangor | $49,160 | $47,600–$58,970 | 190 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Maine
Maine's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 3.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,470 to 1,520 jobs, with about 200 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 Maine
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 Maine: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Maine?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maine was $60,070 ($28.88 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $49,250 and $61,510. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,290 and the top 10% earned over $62,660.
Do dental assistants in Maine earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Maine median of $60,070 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $12,000 (25%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Maine metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 3 Maine metro areas with published BLS data, Portland-South Portland has the highest median at $61,240 a year. Bangor has the lowest, at $49,160.
How many dental assistants work in Maine?
BLS estimates 1,550 dental assistants were employed in Maine in May 2025. That is 2.42 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.97, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Maine?
Maine's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 3.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,470 to 1,520 jobs. That works out to about 200 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Maine?
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Other roles in Maine
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, Maine long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants