Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Nebraska
The median dental assistant earns $46,660 a year in Nebraska ($22.43 an hour), with the middle half earning between $43,590 and $49,370.[1]
25th percentile
$43,590
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$46,660
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$49,370
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $46,660 per year or $22.43/hr at the median. Nebraska runs about 3% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Nebraska
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 Nebraska earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Nebraska hourly | Nebraska annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.18 | $37,810 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $20.96 | $43,590 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $22.43 | $46,660 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $23.74 | $49,370 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $27.61 | $57,430 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $22.32 | $46,430 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Nebraska
2,520
2.46
0.99
How Nebraska compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $46,660 in Nebraska vs. $48,070 nationally, $1,410 (3%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $37,810 vs. $37,130, 2% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $57,430 vs. $62,250, 8% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 8.5% in Nebraska vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Nebraska
All 4 Nebraska metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $48,590 | $46,940–$58,140 | 190 |
| Lincoln | $48,440 | $46,360–$49,790 | 580 |
| Omaha | $48,020 | $45,380–$50,660 | 1,150 |
| Grand Island | $46,910 | $43,550–$47,310 | 100 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Nebraska
Nebraska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 2,420 to 2,630 jobs, with about 340 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 Nebraska
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.
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Dental Assistant salary in Nebraska: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Nebraska?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Nebraska was $46,660 ($22.43 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $43,590 and $49,370. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,810 and the top 10% earned over $57,430.
Do dental assistants in Nebraska earn more than the national median?
No. The Nebraska median of $46,660 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $1,410 (3%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Nebraska metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 4 Nebraska metro areas with published BLS data, Sioux City has the highest median at $48,590 a year. Grand Island has the lowest, at $46,910.
How many dental assistants work in Nebraska?
BLS estimates 2,520 dental assistants were employed in Nebraska in May 2025. That is 2.46 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.99, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Nebraska?
Nebraska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 2,420 to 2,630 jobs. That works out to about 340 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Nebraska?
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Other roles in Nebraska
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, Nebraska long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants