Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in North Dakota
The median dental assistant earns $57,770 a year in North Dakota ($27.78 an hour), with the middle half earning between $47,150 and $60,270.[1]
25th percentile
$47,150
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$57,770
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$60,270
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $57,770 per year or $27.78/hr at the median. North Dakota runs about 20% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in North Dakota
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 North Dakota earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | North Dakota hourly | North Dakota annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21.00 | $43,680 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $22.67 | $47,150 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $27.78 | $57,770 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $28.98 | $60,270 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $34.96 | $72,710 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $27.14 | $56,450 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in North Dakota
860
2.00
0.80
How North Dakota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $57,770 in North Dakota vs. $48,070 nationally, $9,700 (20%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $43,680 vs. $37,130, 18% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $72,710 vs. $62,250, 17% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 8% in North Dakota vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in North Dakota
All 4 North Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $58,960 | $55,680–$60,110 | 210 |
| Grand Forks | $57,770 | $48,790–$59,830 | 110 |
| Minot | $57,770 | $48,250–$60,340 | 70 |
| Fargo | $56,940 | $46,770–$59,960 | 330 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in North Dakota
North Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8% over 2024–2034, from 940 to 1,020 jobs, with about 130 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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in North Dakota?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Dakota was $57,770 ($27.78 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $47,150 and $60,270. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $43,680 and the top 10% earned over $72,710.
Do dental assistants in North Dakota earn more than the national median?
Yes. The North Dakota median of $57,770 is higher than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $9,700 (20%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Dakota metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 4 North Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, Bismarck has the highest median at $58,960 a year. Fargo has the lowest, at $56,940.
How many dental assistants work in North Dakota?
BLS estimates 860 dental assistants were employed in North Dakota in May 2025. That is 2.00 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.80, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in North Dakota?
North Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 8% over 2024–2034, from 940 to 1,020 jobs. That works out to about 130 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in North Dakota?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
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Other roles in North Dakota
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, North Dakota long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants