Dental Assistant Salaries in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a warm climate and a growing population, which makes it attractive for those seeking job opportunities in interesting places. In Oklahoma, there is a rising demand for good-quality healthcare services of all types, including dental care. Aspiring dental assistants who come to Oklahoma should have good chances of finding employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for dental assistants in Oklahoma is projected to increase by 8.5 percent from 2016 to 2026. This is low compared to the rest of the United States, where available job openings for dental assistants are expected to rise by nearly 20 percent. Nevertheless, job growth in Oklahoma will occur, and even more jobs will open as some currently employed dental assistants leave the profession.
Salaries for dental assistants can vary widely depending on experience, education, and location. In general, dental assistants in Oklahoma can expect to earn more than those in other parts of the state.
There are several schools in Oklahoma that offer dental assistant programs. These programs typically take one year or less to complete and prepare students for the licensure exams required to become a dental assistant in Oklahoma. Many community colleges, technical schools, and private career colleges offer dental assistant programs.
In Oklahoma, salaries for dental assistants are lagging behind the rest of the nation. Oklahoma’s pay scale for dental assistants is well below average, although the state’s relatively low cost of living helps offset this discrepancy.
| 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 |
| Oklahoma | 2016 | 4,170 | 2026 | 4,530 | 360 | 8.6% | 510 |
| 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 |
| Oklahoma | 4,030 | $17.77 | $36,970 | $27,170 | $31,750 | $36,620 | $42,030 | $49,340 |
Wages for dental assistants in Oklahoma are consistent across the state. Oklahoma City is the state’s biggest city, and it’s the only large municipality that pays more than the state average. Annual salaries in Tulsa are only slightly below the Oklahoma state average, while dental assistants in Enid, Lawton and the Fort Smith (AR) metropolitan area on the Oklahoma-Arkansas border will usually earn a little less than those employed in Tulsa.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 70 | $16.30 | $33,900 | $27,520 | $29,960 | $33,280 | $37,820 | $41,860 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 280 | $17.10 | $35,560 | $26,950 | $31,140 | $35,500 | $39,860 | $46,240 |
| Lawton, OK | 180 | $17.14 | $35,650 | $29,960 | $32,810 | $35,500 | $38,480 | $43,260 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1650 | $18.42 | $38,300 | $27,440 | $32,730 | $37,620 | $44,010 | $50,900 |
| Tulsa, OK | 1080 | $17.38 | $36,160 | $26,850 | $31,860 | $36,520 | $41,520 | $48,440 |
While dental assistants don’t make as much in Oklahoma as they do in most states, they still earn several thousand dollars more annually than pharmacy technicians, nursing assistants or medical assistants. On the other hand, physical therapists in Oklahoma are paid 30-40 percent more (on average) than dental assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 4940 | $15.36 | $31,940 | $22,860 | $26,360 | $30,320 | $36,620 | $43,620 |
| Nursing Assistants | 18250 | $12.51 | $26,030 | $20,600 | $22,350 | $25,120 | $29,280 | $33,100 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 1550 | $28.45 | $59,180 | $26,940 | $47,150 | $60,110 | $73,990 | $84,440 |
| Dental Assistants | 4030 | $17.77 | $36,970 | $27,170 | $31,750 | $36,620 | $42,030 | $49,340 |
| Medical Assistants | 8740 | $15.20 | $31,610 | $23,520 | $27,130 | $30,770 | $36,290 | $40,520 |