Dental Assistant Salaries in North Dakota
Despite its limited population, North Dakota has a robust economy that produces many well-compensated positions in the health care sector. Dental assistants will find numerous employment opportunities in its three metropolitan areas, and jobs can occasionally be found in the many smaller communities that dot its expansive landscape as well.
It is estimated that the number of jobs available for dental assistants in North Dakota will increase by 15.9 percent between 2016 and 2026. At present, there are approximately 700 people employed as dental assistants in North Dakota, which is attributable to its sparse population rather than a lack of opportunity.
Dental assistant jobs pay well in North Dakota, with compensation rates that exceed the national average by 10-20 percent. Among Upper Midwestern states, only Minnesota offers higher wages for dental assistants.
| 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 |
| North Dakota | 2016 | 700 | 2026 | 810 | 110 | 15.7% | 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 |
| North Dakota | 790 | $22.66 | $47,140 | $35,250 | $40,600 | $46,340 | $52,390 | $60,800 |
North Dakota has three population centers large enough to carry the metropolitan area designation: Bismarck, Fargo (ND)-Moorhead (MN) and Greater Grand Forks. Bismarck offers the highest wages for dental assistants, with compensation levels that rank second only to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN) in the Upper Midwest/North Central region. Dental assistants in the Fargo-Moorhead area make slightly more than those who find employment in Grand Forks, although both areas pay rates that are solidly above the U.S. average.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 160 | $24.69 | $51,360 | $35,950 | $44,040 | $51,910 | $59,780 | $65,650 |
| 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 |
People who work as dental assistants in North Dakota earn much more than those who find positions as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians or nursing assistants. North Dakota is one of the few states where dental assistants are paid about the same as physical therapists, who generally top the compensation list among related fields.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 890 | $19.12 | $39,770 | $31,510 | $34,870 | $39,910 | $45,710 | $49,520 |
| Nursing Assistants | 8020 | $16.50 | $34,320 | $26,920 | $29,930 | $34,270 | $38,500 | $42,500 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 130 | $22.52 | $46,830 | $23,490 | $37,180 | $47,650 | $56,900 | $64,360 |
| Dental Assistants | 790 | $22.66 | $47,140 | $35,250 | $40,600 | $46,340 | $52,390 | $60,800 |
| Medical Assistants | 410 | $17.87 | $37,170 | $28,400 | $32,560 | $36,640 | $40,840 | $48,440 |