Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Michigan
The median dental assistant earns $48,820 a year in Michigan ($23.47 an hour), with the middle half earning between $45,390 and $56,940.[1]
25th percentile
$45,390
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$48,820
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$56,940
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $48,820 per year or $23.47/hr at the median. Michigan runs about 2% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Michigan
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 Michigan earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Michigan hourly | Michigan annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.84 | $37,110 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $21.82 | $45,390 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.47 | $48,820 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $27.37 | $56,940 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.32 | $58,900 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $23.87 | $49,650 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Michigan
11,990
2.72
1.09
How Michigan compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $48,820 in Michigan vs. $48,070 nationally, $750 (2%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,110 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $58,900 vs. $62,250, 5% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4.8% in Michigan vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Michigan
All 16 Michigan metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing | $56,150 | $45,510–$57,040 | 550 |
| Ann Arbor | $53,370 | $47,490–$57,940 | 490 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $50,490 | $47,980–$59,090 | 1,470 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $50,110 | $46,110–$57,230 | 6,030 |
| Flint | $48,360 | $43,990–$54,790 | 430 |
| Midland | $48,360 | $44,740–$55,580 | 130 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $47,770 | $44,970–$56,960 | 360 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $46,920 | $44,800–$48,920 | 280 |
| Traverse City | $46,910 | $45,830–$56,630 | 290 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $46,570 | $38,840–$47,650 | 170 |
| Monroe | $46,320 | $39,950–$53,820 | 70 |
| Niles | $46,170 | $45,250–$55,660 | 130 |
| Saginaw | $46,050 | $44,800–$54,960 | 170 |
| Jackson | $45,540 | $44,920–$52,730 | 150 |
| Bay City | $45,070 | $44,280–$52,990 | 90 |
| Battle Creek | $44,860 | $41,600–$55,570 | 100 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Michigan
Michigan's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 4.8% over 2024–2034, from 11,880 to 12,460 jobs, with about 1,620 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 Michigan
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 Michigan: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Michigan?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Michigan was $48,820 ($23.47 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $45,390 and $56,940. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,110 and the top 10% earned over $58,900.
Do dental assistants in Michigan earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Michigan median of $48,820 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $750 (2%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Michigan metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 16 Michigan metro areas with published BLS data, Lansing-East Lansing has the highest median at $56,150 a year. Battle Creek has the lowest, at $44,860.
How many dental assistants work in Michigan?
BLS estimates 11,990 dental assistants were employed in Michigan in May 2025. That is 2.72 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.09, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Michigan?
Michigan's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 4.8% over 2024–2034, from 11,880 to 12,460 jobs. That works out to about 1,620 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
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Other roles in Michigan
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, Michigan long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants