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How Much Can Dental Assistants Make in Nevada?

Nevada is one of America’s largest states, although desert and semi-arid land make up much of its territory. In the state’s population centers, dental assistants work every day to help dentists provide Nevadans with quality dental care.

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The dental assistant position is experiencing significant growth in Nevada. In 2016, the state had 2,600 such positions. By 2026, it will have roughly 3,020. In addition, about 350 dental assistant jobs come open in the typical calendar year.

The lion’s share of these new jobs (210) are due to growth in the state’s population. The remainder come from dental assistants leaving the field or retiring.

Dental assistants in Nevada typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may also require certification from an accredited program. These programs typically take one year or less to complete.

Nevada does not currently require dental assistants to be licensed. However, this may change in the future. Currently, the state is considering legislation that would require all dental assistants to be licensed by 2025.

On average, Nevada dental assistants make about $2,500 less each year than the typical assistant working in America. Still, top dental assistant salaries within the state exceed $50,000 per year.

AreaNameBase YearEmployedProjection YearProjected EmploymentChange% ChangeProjected Average Annual Job Openings
United States2018346,0002026384,70038,70019.5%44,800
Nevada20162,60020263,02042016.2%350

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
Nevada2,770$18.61$38,710$26,310$33,520$38,820$45,450$50,570

The most lucrative job market for Nevada dental assistants is in the Reno metropolitan area. Annual salaries there regularly reach $44,000. In contrast, assistants working in the Las VegasHenderson-Paradise area earn incomes of over $7,000 less on average. Assistants working in the Carson City area make an average of $38,500 a year.

AreaTotal EmployedHourly MeanAnnual Mean10th Percentile25th PercentileAnnual Median75th Percentile90th Percentile
Carson City, NV100$18.51$38,500$27,550$31,710$38,730$45,400$49,860
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV1890$17.77$36,960$24,510$32,170$37,680$43,570$49,090
Reno, NV560$21.25$44,200$32,290$36,330$43,280$50,970$60,850

The typical Nevada dental assistant makes over $23,000 less per year than the typical physical therapist assistant. The state’s pharmacy assistants make slightly less than dental assistants. Medical and nursing assistants earn substantially smaller incomes.

OccupationTotal EmployedHourly MeanAnnual Mean10th Percentile25th PercentileAnnual Median75th Percentile90th Percentile
Pharmacy Technicians3750$18.34$38,150$26,670$31,810$37,020$44,070$51,960
Nursing Assistants7220$16.77$34,890$26,140$29,170$33,770$38,820$47,980
Physical Therapist Assistants470$29.86$62,100$25,460$39,030$63,550$77,840$107,010
Dental Assistants2770$18.61$38,710$26,310$33,520$38,820$45,450$50,570
Medical Assistants6800$16.76$34,860$26,760$30,330$34,630$38,850$44,770


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