Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Oklahoma
The median dental assistant earns $45,740 a year in Oklahoma ($21.99 an hour), with the middle half earning between $37,210 and $47,990.[1]
25th percentile
$37,210
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$45,740
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$47,990
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $45,740 per year or $21.99/hr at the median. Oklahoma runs about 5% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Oklahoma hourly | Oklahoma annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.32 | $36,030 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $17.89 | $37,210 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $21.99 | $45,740 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $23.07 | $47,990 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.09 | $58,430 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $21.53 | $44,790 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in Oklahoma
4,550
2.66
1.07
How Oklahoma compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $45,740 in Oklahoma vs. $48,070 nationally, $2,330 (5%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $36,030 vs. $37,130, 3% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $58,430 vs. $62,250, 6% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.2% in Oklahoma vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in Oklahoma
All 5 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $46,510 | $37,630–$48,160 | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma City | $46,250 | $36,910–$48,210 | 1,820 |
| Lawton | $43,430 | $40,330–$49,730 | 120 |
| Enid | $37,320 | $36,970–$42,790 | 70 |
| Fort Smith | $37,160 | $35,680–$45,000 | 220 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 6.2% over 2024–2034, from 4,660 to 4,950 jobs, with about 640 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 Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Oklahoma?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Oklahoma was $45,740 ($21.99 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $37,210 and $47,990. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,030 and the top 10% earned over $58,430.
Do dental assistants in Oklahoma earn more than the national median?
No. The Oklahoma median of $45,740 is lower than the U.S. median of $48,070. That is $2,330 (5%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Oklahoma metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 5 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, Tulsa has the highest median at $46,510 a year. Fort Smith has the lowest, at $37,160.
How many dental assistants work in Oklahoma?
BLS estimates 4,550 dental assistants were employed in Oklahoma in May 2025. That is 2.66 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.07, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 6.2% over 2024–2034, from 4,660 to 4,950 jobs. That works out to about 640 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in Oklahoma?
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Other roles in Oklahoma
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, Oklahoma long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants