How Much Do Dental Assistants Earn in Alaska?
Alaska is America’s largest state by area. It also has one of the nation’s smallest populations. Still, to maintain good health, Alaska residents need reliable access to dentists. In turn, dentists need access to trained, capable dental assistants.
The number of dental assistant positions in Alaska is increasing. Between 2016 and 2026, the total number of such positions will go up by fully 24 percent. In addition, every year, Alaska employers post roughly 170 openings for dental assistant jobs.
Alaska dental assistants earn more money each year than in most other places in the U.S. In fact, annual salaries for the state are more than $8,000 above the national average.
| AreaName | Base Year | Employed | Projection Year | Projected Employment | Change | % Change | Projected Average Annual Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2018 | 346,000 | 2026 | 384,700 | 38,700 | 19.5% | 44,800 |
| Alaska | 2016 | 1,160 | 2026 | 1,440 | 280 | 24.1% | 170 |
| State | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | 351,470 | $19.79 | $41,170 | $27,980 | $33,440 | $40,080 | $48,550 | $56,930 |
| Alaska | 960 | $23.73 | $49,350 | $33,290 | $39,080 | $47,100 | $58,980 | $67,560 |
Most of Alaska’s dental assistants work in one of two metropolitan areas: Anchorage and Fairbanks. Average salaries in the Anchorage area are approximately $46,000. Assistants working in the Fairbanks area make an average of just over $50,000.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 500 | $22.14 | $46,050 | $31,170 | $37,710 | $45,730 | $54,680 | $63,660 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 80 | $24.18 | $50,280 | $34,350 | $37,850 | $45,480 | $55,770 | $62,090 |
Alaska dental assistants make some of the highest salaries among support personnel working in the state’s healthcare industry. Three types of professionals – pharmacy assistants, medical assistants and nursing assistants – make less money. However, physical therapist assistants make about $14,000 more annually than dental assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 590 | $21.29 | $44,280 | $33,090 | $37,140 | $43,680 | $50,360 | $58,270 |
| Nursing Assistants | 1730 | $19.38 | $40,320 | $32,860 | $35,410 | $38,810 | $44,960 | $49,750 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 240 | $30.50 | $63,440 | $38,130 | $51,100 | $65,230 | $77,630 | $85,070 |
| Dental Assistants | 960 | $23.73 | $49,350 | $33,290 | $39,080 | $47,100 | $58,980 | $67,560 |
| Medical Assistants | 2740 | $21.94 | $45,630 | $34,590 | $38,750 | $44,820 | $50,700 | $58,750 |