Dental Assistant Salaries in Minnesota
With its solid economy, highly rated schools and an expansive health care system, Minnesota is fertile ground for men and women seeking employment as dental assistants. Healthcare professionals are well compensated in Minnesota, making it a haven for those who receive specialized training in dentistry and other medical fields.
Between 2016 and 2026, the number of jobs available for trained dental assistants in Minnesota is expected to rise by a modest 8.3 percent. This is about 40 percent of the job growth rate projected for the nation as a whole.
With an aging population and advances in dental technology, the demand for dental services is expected to continue to grow. This growth, combined with an increasing emphasis on preventive care, means that there will be a need for more dental assistants.
Dental assistants in Minnesota typically work in private dental practices. They may also work in clinics or hospitals, or for public health organizations. Some dental assistants may be self-employed.
Most dental assistants in Minnesota work full time, although some work part time. Hours can be variable, and may include evenings and weekends. Dental assistants may also be on call to work additional hours when needed.
In Minnesota, dental assistants must be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. To be eligible for licensure, candidates must have graduated from an accredited dental assisting program and pass a written and clinical examination.
While the job expansion rate in the profession is unspectacular, the salaries for dental assistants in Minnesota are impressive, ranking at or near the top of the list in comparison to all other states.
| 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 |
| Minnesota | 2016 | 5,640 | 2026 | 6,110 | 470 | 8.3% | 680 |
| 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 |
| Minnesota | 5,740 | $25.10 | $52,220 | $41,230 | $45,500 | $51,750 | $58,780 | $63,700 |
Wages for dental assistants in Minnesota are highest in the heavily populated Minneapolis–St. Paul region, where available jobs are also most plentiful. Ranking not far behind is the Rochester metropolitan area, which is home to the famous Mayo Clinic and is a hotbed for high-quality healthcare services in general. Other metropolitan areas that pay dental assistants very well include the St. Cloud metro area in the central part of the state, the Duluth (MN)-Superior (WI) area in the northeast and the Fargo (ND)-Moorhead (MN) area on the state’s western border.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 280 | $22.76 | $47,340 | $36,130 | $41,600 | $47,560 | $53,300 | $60,000 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 300 | $23.16 | $48,180 | $36,910 | $41,480 | $46,440 | $51,860 | $60,030 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 110 | $22.33 | $46,440 | $35,490 | $42,240 | $47,010 | $51,860 | $58,160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 170 | $20.72 | $43,100 | $33,100 | $36,040 | $41,730 | $49,490 | $58,350 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | 80 | $22.09 | $45,950 | $36,110 | $40,750 | $45,980 | $51,240 | $57,670 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3760 | $26.21 | $54,510 | $43,290 | $47,760 | $53,930 | $60,400 | $64,810 |
| Rochester, MN | 360 | $25.49 | $53,010 | $42,010 | $47,040 | $54,700 | $60,480 | $64,320 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 220 | $23.54 | $48,950 | $37,560 | $42,580 | $48,910 | $56,160 | $62,150 |
In Minnesota, physical therapists are paid a bit more on average than dental assistants. But the gap is much smaller than in most states. Pharmacy technicians, medical assistants and nursing assistants in the state all make considerably less than dental assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 8120 | $18.43 | $38,330 | $26,710 | $31,930 | $37,360 | $45,100 | $51,760 |
| Nursing Assistants | 30350 | $16.90 | $35,150 | $27,320 | $30,460 | $34,990 | $39,420 | $45,200 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 1590 | $26.82 | $55,780 | $43,340 | $49,070 | $56,190 | $62,190 | $67,450 |
| Dental Assistants | 5740 | $25.10 | $52,220 | $41,230 | $45,500 | $51,750 | $58,780 | $63,700 |
| Medical Assistants | 9950 | $20.05 | $41,710 | $33,040 | $36,380 | $41,570 | $47,650 | $51,890 |
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 8120 | $18.43 | $38,330 | $26,710 | $31,930 | $37,360 | $45,100 | $51,760 |
| Nursing Assistants | 30350 | $16.90 | $35,150 | $27,320 | $30,460 | $34,990 | $39,420 | $45,200 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 1590 | $26.82 | $55,780 | $43,340 | $49,070 | $56,190 | $62,190 | $67,450 |
| Dental Assistants | 5740 | $25.10 | $52,220 | $41,230 | $45,500 | $51,750 | $58,780 | $63,700 |
| Medical Assistants | 9950 | $20.05 | $41,710 | $33,040 | $36,380 | $41,570 | $47,650 | $51,890 |