Dentist vs dental assistant salary
General Dentists earn more — about 256% ($122,880) above Dental Assistants. General Dentist: $170,950; Dental Assistant: $48,070.
As of BLS OEWS May 2025.
General DentistHigher pay
$170,950
$82.19/hr median
Verified
Dental Assistant
$48,070
$23.11/hr median
Verified
- Dentist median
- $170,950
- Assistant median
- $48,070
- Gap
- $122,880
- Gap (%)
- 256%
Side-by-side distribution
| Metric | Dentist | Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $170,950 | $48,070 |
| 10th percentile | $86,250 | $37,130 |
| 90th percentile | $319,630 | $62,250 |
| Median hourly | $82.19/hr | $23.11/hr |
Median annual
- Dentist
- $170,950
- Assistant
- $48,070
10th percentile
- Dentist
- $86,250
- Assistant
- $37,130
90th percentile
- Dentist
- $319,630
- Assistant
- $62,250
Median hourly
- Dentist
- $82.19/hr
- Assistant
- $23.11/hr
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Who earns more, a general dentist or a dental assistant?
General Dentists earn more — about 256% ($122,880) above Dental Assistants. General Dentist: $170,950; Dental Assistant: $48,070.
Figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. How DentalSalary works →
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