Dental Assistant Training Class

Information On Dental Assistant Salary

Being a dental assistant can be a very rewarding career choice for someone who likes to work with people. Entry level salaries are relatively good, and there is a lot of room for advancement as one becomes more proficient at performing the duties of the job. The following is some basic information on dental assistant salary at the present time.

If one joins a dental practice as an untrained dental assistant and receives on-the-job training, he/she can expect an entry level salary of slightly over 22,000 dollars per year. This is a relatively good salary considering that it reflects someone starting out with limited or no higher education and little knowledge of the dental field.

As one gains experience, or if one obtains training before entering the job, salaries tend to be somewhat higher. The average salary for trained dental assistants is in the neighborhood of 32,000 dollars. This assumes a working knowledge of dental practices and that the individual is proficient at performing the tasks required without direct minute-by-minute supervision.

It also includes the salaries of dental assistants in all three major branches of the job, patient care, laboratory, and office management. Therefore, it is safe to assume that if one specializes in one particular branch of the job tree, he/she can expect to make more or less than this average based on the job choice.

The most experienced and most versatile of dental assistants can expect to advance to a very lucrative salary of slightly more than 46,000 dollars per year. This is an excellent salary for a position that requires little or no post secondary education. Those who invest the extra time to get such education can expect to reach this level sooner than those who begin with no training at all, but it is an attainable goal for all in the field of dental assisting.

The field of dental assisting is expected to continue to grow as more and more people realize the need for proper dental care to maintain their overall health. It is a very rewarding career choice for those who enjoy working with people. It is also one of the most financially lucrative career choices for those who do not attain a college degree.

One may have to invest some time either in a certificate program or by getting an associate’s degree to gain a head start on a higher dental assistant salary, but even those who begin with no training whatsoever have the opportunity to advance into a position that pays nearly 50,000 dollars a year as he/she becomes more proficient at fulfilling the duties of the position.