How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in Delaware?
Delaware is one of America’s smallest and least populous states. However, it’s also one of the most prosperous. Across all income levels, Delaware residents maintain their health with the help of experienced dentists and dedicated dental assistants.
The number of dental assistants working in Delaware will go up slightly by 2026. Between 2016 and that year, the increase is projected to equal roughly 7 percent. About 90 assistant jobs come open across the state in the average year.
With annual incomes averaging $42,000-plus, Delaware dental assistants beat the national norm by roughly $1,000. The best-paid assistants working in the state earn about 50 percent more than the state and national averages.
| 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 |
| Delaware | 2016 | 780 | 2026 | 840 | 60 | 7.7% | 90 |
| 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 |
| Delaware | 770 | $20.37 | $42,380 | $27,580 | $33,050 | $40,390 | $51,310 | $61,110 |
Dental assistant salaries are relatively stable in all of Delaware’s major population centers. The highest incomes are found in the Wilmington metro region, which also includes Camden and Philadelphia. In the region with the lowest incomes, Dover, dental assistant salaries fall off by just $1,800 a year.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | 140 | $19.43 | $40,420 | $24,440 | $29,870 | $37,570 | $48,140 | $62,900 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6030 | $20.32 | $42,260 | $27,870 | $34,500 | $41,850 | $50,660 | $59,750 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 330 | $19.94 | $41,480 | $27,870 | $33,610 | $39,630 | $48,380 | $59,100 |
Delaware dental assistants have a higher average income than the state’s medical assistants, pharmacy assistants and nursing assistants. However, consistent with nationwide trends, they make substantially less money than Delaware physical therapist assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1360 | $16.18 | $33,650 | $23,350 | $27,010 | $31,530 | $39,360 | $47,600 |
| Nursing Assistants | 5030 | $15.27 | $31,770 | $26,290 | $28,230 | $31,230 | $35,680 | $39,120 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 340 | $29.62 | $61,610 | $44,690 | $49,000 | $58,180 | $73,700 | $83,270 |
| Dental Assistants | 770 | $20.37 | $42,380 | $27,580 | $33,050 | $40,390 | $51,310 | $61,110 |
| Medical Assistants | 2700 | $16.72 | $34,770 | $25,210 | $29,070 | $34,000 | $39,590 | $47,360 |