Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Minnesota
The median dental assistant earns $65,270 a year in Minnesota ($31.38 an hour), with the middle half earning between $59,940 and $74,410.[1]
25th percentile
$59,940
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$65,270
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$74,410
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $65,270 per year or $31.38/hr at the median. Minnesota runs about 36% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Minnesota
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 Minnesota earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Minnesota hourly | Minnesota annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22.58 | $46,960 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $28.82 | $59,940 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $31.38 | $65,270 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $35.78 | $74,410 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $36.59 | $76,110 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $31.13 | $64,740 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Minnesota
5,980
2.03
0.81
How Minnesota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $65,270 in Minnesota vs. $48,070 nationally, $17,200 (36%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $46,960 vs. $37,130, 26% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $76,110 vs. $62,250, 22% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.1% in Minnesota vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Minnesota
All 9 Minnesota metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $72,370 | $63,050–$75,560 | 3,910 |
| Rochester | $63,450 | $59,820–$72,700 | 320 |
| Mankato | $61,010 | $57,660–$63,070 | 120 |
| St. Cloud | $61,000 | $59,940–$62,910 | 270 |
| Duluth | $59,390 | $48,500–$62,320 | 310 |
| Grand Forks | $57,770 | $48,790–$59,830 | 110 |
| Fargo | $56,940 | $46,770–$59,960 | 330 |
| Sioux Falls | $48,890 | $48,220–$59,560 | 450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $47,180 | $45,360–$55,630 | 230 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Minnesota
Minnesota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 9.1% over 2024–2034, from 5,750 to 6,270 jobs, with about 820 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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Minnesota?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Minnesota was $65,270 ($31.38 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $59,940 and $74,410. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $46,960 and the top 10% earned over $76,110.
Do dental assistants in Minnesota earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Minnesota median of $65,270 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $17,200 (36%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Minnesota metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 9 Minnesota metro areas with published BLS data, Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has the highest median at $72,370 a year. La Crosse-Onalaska has the lowest, at $47,180.
How many dental assistants work in Minnesota?
BLS estimates 5,980 dental assistants were employed in Minnesota in May 2025. That is 2.03 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.81, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Minnesota?
Minnesota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 9.1% over 2024–2034, from 5,750 to 6,270 jobs. That works out to about 820 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Minnesota?
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Other roles in Minnesota
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, Minnesota long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants