Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Assistant Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

The median dental assistant earns $47,540 a year in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro, with the middle half between $44,240 and $58,790.[1]

25th percentile

$44,240

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$47,540

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$58,790

Upper end of the middle half

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria runs about 2% lower than the Maryland median and ranks 4th of 6 Maryland metros. It is about 1% lower than the national median.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pay range vs. Maryland and the U.S.

Dental Assistant annual wages: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria vs. Maryland vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualMaryland annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$37,870$35,560$37,130
25th percentile$44,240$41,600$44,340
Median$47,540$48,620$48,070
75th percentile$58,790$58,820$58,090
90th percentile$62,790$61,710$62,250
Mean (average)$50,450$50,720$50,200

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

8,440

About 129% of Maryland's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

2.69

Maryland: 2.37

Location quotient

1.08

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dental Assistant salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

The median dental assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is $47,540, with the middle half earning between $44,240 and $58,790 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $37,870 at the 10th percentile to $62,790 at the 90th.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria higher or lower than the rest of Maryland?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria runs about 2% lower than the Maryland state median for dental assistants. It ranks 4th of 6 Maryland metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare nationally?

Dental Assistant pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is about 1% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental assistants work in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area?

BLS estimates 8,440 dental assistants were employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.08, so the role is close to the national average.