Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dental Assistant Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

The median dental assistant earns $47,540 a year in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro, with the middle half between $44,240 and $58,790.[1]

25th percentile

$44,240

Lower end of the middle half

Median

$47,540

Half earn more, half earn less

75th percentile

$58,790

Upper end of the middle half

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria runs about 25% higher than the West Virginia median and ranks 1st of 10 West Virginia metros. It is about 1% lower than the national median.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria pay range vs. West Virginia and the U.S.

Dental Assistant annual wages: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria vs. West Virginia vs. U.S. (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
PercentileMetro annualWest Virginia annualU.S. annual
10th percentile$37,870$31,760$37,130
25th percentile$44,240$36,360$44,340
Median$47,540$37,960$48,070
75th percentile$58,790$45,180$58,090
90th percentile$62,790$52,630$62,250
Mean (average)$50,450$41,280$50,200

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.[2] Gross wages for employees; excludes the self-employed. Comparisons in this page are DSO Hire calculations and are not adjusted for cost of living.

Employed in metro

8,440

About 654% of West Virginia's total (calculation)

Per 1,000 jobs

2.69

West Virginia: 1.84

Location quotient

1.08

1.00 = U.S. average; close to the national average

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Dental Assistant salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

The median dental assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area is $47,540, with the middle half earning between $44,240 and $58,790 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $37,870 at the 10th percentile to $62,790 at the 90th.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria higher or lower than the rest of West Virginia?

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria runs about 25% higher than the West Virginia state median for dental assistants. It ranks 1st of 10 West Virginia metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)

How does Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare nationally?

Dental Assistant pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is about 1% lower than the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)

How many dental assistants work in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area?

BLS estimates 8,440 dental assistants were employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.08, so the role is close to the national average.