Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Maryland
The median dental assistant earns $48,620 a year in Maryland ($23.38 an hour), with the middle half earning between $41,600 and $58,820.[1]
25th percentile
$41,600
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$48,620
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$58,820
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $48,620 per year or $23.38/hr at the median. Maryland runs about 1% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Maryland
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 Maryland earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Maryland hourly | Maryland annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.10 | $35,560 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $20.00 | $41,600 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.38 | $48,620 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $28.28 | $58,820 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $29.67 | $61,710 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $24.39 | $50,720 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Maryland
6,560
2.37
0.95
How Maryland compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $48,620 in Maryland vs. $48,070 nationally, $550 (1%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $35,560 vs. $37,130, 4% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $61,710 vs. $62,250, about the same.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 7.5% in Maryland vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Maryland
All 6 Maryland metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $49,570 | $47,490–$57,070 | 6,510 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $48,410 | $45,250–$57,830 | 2,930 |
| Lexington Park | $48,030 | $46,040–$57,820 | 170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $47,540 | $44,240–$58,790 | 8,440 |
| Salisbury | $46,850 | $36,900–$49,940 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $46,690 | $38,520–$49,620 | 260 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Maryland
Maryland's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 7.5% over 2024–2034, from 6,560 to 7,060 jobs, with about 920 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 Maryland
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
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental assistant roles in Maryland, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Maryland: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Maryland?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maryland was $48,620 ($23.38 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $41,600 and $58,820. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $35,560 and the top 10% earned over $61,710.
Do dental assistants in Maryland earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Maryland median of $48,620 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $550 (1%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Maryland metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 6 Maryland metro areas with published BLS data, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has the highest median at $49,570 a year. Hagerstown-Martinsburg has the lowest, at $46,690.
How many dental assistants work in Maryland?
BLS estimates 6,560 dental assistants were employed in Maryland in May 2025. That is 2.37 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.95, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Maryland?
Maryland's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 7.5% over 2024–2034, from 6,560 to 7,060 jobs. That works out to about 920 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Maryland?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Maryland
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, Maryland long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants