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.
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.
| 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 |
| Hawaii | 2016 | 1,610 | 2026 | 1,870 | 260 | 16.1% | 210 |
| 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 |
| Hawaii | 1,590 | $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.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 140 | $18.83 | $39,170 | $29,940 | $34,140 | $38,800 | $44,850 | $49,890 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 1190 | $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.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1790 | $20.14 | $41,880 | $30,010 | $34,710 | $40,970 | $49,340 | $56,920 |
| Nursing Assistants | 4000 | $18.13 | $37,710 | $28,110 | $31,920 | $36,810 | $42,470 | $50,030 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 190 | $26.61 | $55,350 | $33,320 | $50,530 | $57,380 | $63,190 | $70,530 |
| Dental Assistants | 1590 | $17.78 | $36,990 | $25,500 | $30,820 | $36,880 | $41,890 | $49,510 |
| Medical Assistants | 4340 | $19.05 | $39,620 | $29,810 | $33,860 | $38,900 | $45,980 | $50,850 |