The dental assistant salary data in the US is quite staggering. According to estimates, the average hourly rate is between $9.74 and $18.89. And the average overtime is between $11.13 and $28.05. Of course this does not mean that no one earns less or more salary than that. This is just an average estimation. Here is some other interesting statistics about dental assistant salary currently received in the US.
If we analyze the statistics, we will know that 50% of those who are currently engaged as assistants earn an average income that is between $29,000 and $37,000 every year. 20% of the other half earns more than $39,000 every year, and the balance 30% make a little less than $29,000 annually. So, if we are to consider the overall average salary received by those in the profession, we can come to the conclusion that the dental assistant salary received is quite decent.
Dental Assistant Salary Received By State and City
According to statistics, the maximum dental assistant salary the person can receive is in CA. In California, the hourly average pay is $12.96, whereas it is $14.92 in New York, $14.86 in Illinois, $14.66 in Georgia, $13.27 in Ohio, $13.13 in Pennsylvania, and $14.49 in Virginia.
However, it is the city data that can leave you surprised. Move aside Los Angeles, Chicago and even Atlanta. The city of Charlotte comes up second on the list just after New York. In Charlotte, you can expect to earn $16.42 per hour on average. But on top of the list is NYC where the pay per hour is $17.00. Third in the list is Las Vegas at $15.49. These three cities are followed by Atlanta at $14.93, Chicago at $14.59 and Tulsa at $13.74.
But why does the dental assistant salary vary so much? It does so for various reasons. Let us investigate.
Factors That Affect the Dental Assistant Salary
There are four main factors because of which the dental assistant salary received is so vastly different, and they are,
- It depends on your experience – Just like it is in other professions, the salary a dental assistant will receive will depend on how experienced the person is. Those who have been working for a few years can claim more money than those who are absolute freshers and are looking for the first job. The hourly wage of a person fresh out of school is usually not more than $11. However someone who has been working for sometime can easily earn $20 an hour or even more than that.
- The city where you are located – In some cities of the US, the cost of living is more, and the salaries are more too. In others it is less. In NYC for example, the hourly wage you earn could be $17, but if you are employed in a city like Tulsa, the average wage per hour could be around $13. Usually, if you are living and working in a big city, you can expect to receive more salary. There can be exceptions though.
- Education – Education is really very important. In fact without training, you cannot expect to even get that job. But usually, the better trained you are the better salary you can expect to receive. Some employers will even look at the school where you went to. If the school is renowned, and if the training program it offers is certified, then the employer is likely to offer you a higher salary in the expectation that you can offer more knowledge on the job. So if you want to join this profession, and if you want a decent dental assistant salary, be very careful about the school and the program you choose.
- Certification – Once you have completed your training, you need to sit for an examination taken by the DANB or the Dental Assisting National Board. If you pass this exam, you will be known as a certified dental assistant. Needless to mention, those who are certified professionals will definitely earn more dental assistant salary as compared to those who are not certified. Just completing your training will not ensure the best salaries for you. To get the best pay, you must pass the exam of the board.
Dental Assistant – A Growing Profession
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants can look towards a better future because the profession is growing rapidly. The Bureau tells us that the future looks brighter because of more job opportunioties, and as the demand grows, the average dental assistant salary is definite to go up too. After all, a lot of Americans are today suffering from oral problems, and as the population grows, more physicians and assistants are needed to serve them.
So it seems that the assistants never had it better. With more jobs and better dental assistant salary, we can definitely come to this conclusion.
Posted by : Kirana
Posted on : Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 11:49 am
References: http://www.payscale.com/The salary base, as of 2011/05/03 at payscale.com
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