Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Ohio
The median dental assistant earns $47,970 a year in Ohio ($23.06 an hour), with the middle half earning between $42,660 and $59,520.[1]
25th percentile
$42,660
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,970
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$59,520
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $47,970 per year or $23.06/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in Ohio
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 Ohio earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Ohio hourly | Ohio annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.73 | $36,870 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $20.51 | $42,660 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.06 | $47,970 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $28.62 | $59,520 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $37.50 | $78,000 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $25.18 | $52,370 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Ohio
12,150
2.19
0.88
How Ohio compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $47,970 in Ohio vs. $48,070 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $36,870 vs. $37,130, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $78,000 vs. $62,250, 25% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4.6% in Ohio vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Ohio
All 15 Ohio metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $49,590 | $46,680–$60,480 | 2,440 |
| Columbus | $48,760 | $45,650–$57,290 | 2,560 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $48,710 | $46,080–$62,490 | 840 |
| Akron | $48,230 | $45,480–$54,300 | 740 |
| Cleveland | $47,800 | $42,130–$77,100 | 2,540 |
| Toledo | $46,580 | $38,640–$57,470 | 700 |
| Sandusky | $46,260 | $42,050–$56,570 | 90 |
| Springfield | $45,660 | $38,440–$57,780 | 100 |
| Lima | $45,570 | $37,570–$54,130 | 90 |
| Canton-Massillon | $45,340 | $37,330–$56,440 | 400 |
| Wheeling | $44,610 | $37,380–$47,100 | 110 |
| Mansfield | $44,410 | $37,590–$56,080 | 110 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $43,800 | $43,460–$44,760 | 340 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $43,790 | $35,890–$49,230 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $42,660 | $36,310–$46,370 | 240 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Ohio
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 4.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,270 to 11,780 jobs, with about 1,530 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.
Dental assistant credentials in Ohio
Licensing board: Ohio State Dental Board[5]
Credentials:
- Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)
- Dental Assistant Radiographer
- Coronal Polishing
Ohio's expanded-function credential is titled Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA).[6][7]
What drives dental assistant pay in Ohio
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
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental assistant roles in Ohio, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Assistant salary in Ohio: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Ohio?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Ohio was $47,970 ($23.06 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $42,660 and $59,520. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,870 and the top 10% earned over $78,000.
Do dental assistants in Ohio earn more than the national median?
About the same. The Ohio median of $47,970 is about the same as the U.S. median of $48,070. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Ohio metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 15 Ohio metro areas with published BLS data, Cincinnati has the highest median at $49,590 a year. Huntington-Ashland has the lowest, at $42,660.
How many dental assistants work in Ohio?
BLS estimates 12,150 dental assistants were employed in Ohio in May 2025. That is 2.19 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.88, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Ohio?
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 4.6% over 2024–2034, from 11,270 to 11,780 jobs. That works out to about 1,530 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
What credentials do dental assistants need in Ohio?
Ohio's expanded-function credential is titled Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA). Credentials to know: Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary (EFDA); Dental Assistant Radiographer; Coronal Polishing. Requirements depend on which duties you perform, so check the Ohio State Dental Board and DANB's Ohio page for specifics.
Hiring in Ohio?
Fill dental assistant roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Ohio
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, Ohio long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants
- 5.Ohio State Dental Board
- 6.Ohio State Dental Board, dental assistant credentials
- 7.DANB, Ohio dental assisting state requirements