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Dental Assistant Salaries in Hawaii

Hawaii is unique among U.S. states, with about 1.5 million people spread across a range of large and smaller islands. Dentists maintain vital practices in locations throughout the state. And wherever there are dentists, you’ll also find a support staff that includes dental assistants.

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Hawaii is experiencing a substantial growth in dental assistant positions. By 2026, the state will have about 260 more assistants than it did in 2016. In addition to adding new jobs, Hawaii has a significant number of openings for current positions on a yearly basis.

The average dental assistant working in Hawaii makes almost $37,000 each year. This level of income falls about $4,000 below the average for America as a whole. In a best-case scenario, the state’s dental assistants earn $49,000-plus annually.

AreaNameBase YearEmployedProjection YearProjected EmploymentChange% ChangeProjected Average Annual Job Openings
United States2018346,0002026384,70038,70019.5%44,800
Hawaii20161,61020261,87026016.1%210
StateTotal EmployedHourly MeanHourly MeanAnnual Mean10th Percentile25th PercentileAnnual Median75th Percentile
U.S.351,470$19.79$41,170$27,980$33,440$40,080$48,550$56,930
Hawaii1,590$17.78$36,990$25,500$30,820$36,880$41,890$49,510

There is some regional variation in the salaries earned by Hawaii dental assistants. The best-paid assistants work in the Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina metropolitan region. The smallest average incomes for dental assistants occur in the greater Honolulu area.

AreaTotal EmployedHourly MeanAnnual Mean10th Percentile25th PercentileAnnual Median75th Percentile90th Percentile
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI140$18.83$39,170$29,940$34,140$38,800$44,850$49,890
Urban Honolulu, HI1190$17.80$37,020$24,240$30,170$36,830$42,330$50,250

In Hawaii, dental assistants enjoy substantially smaller annual incomes than physical therapist assistants. They also make somewhat less money per year than pharmacy assistants, medical assistants and nursing assistants.

OccupationTotal EmployedHourly MeanAnnual Mean10th Percentile25th PercentileAnnual Median75th Percentile90th Percentile
Pharmacy Technicians1790$20.14$41,880$30,010$34,710$40,970$49,340$56,920
Nursing Assistants4000$18.13$37,710$28,110$31,920$36,810$42,470$50,030
Physical Therapist Assistants190$26.61$55,350$33,320$50,530$57,380$63,190$70,530
Dental Assistants1590$17.78$36,990$25,500$30,820$36,880$41,890$49,510
Medical Assistants4340$19.05$39,620$29,810$33,860$38,900$45,980$50,850
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