How Much Do Dental Assistants in Virginia Make?
Virginia has over eight million residents, and the population is continuing to grow, especially in its major metropolitan areas. As the population of this state grows and ages, residents are becoming more aware of the importance of taking care of their teeth and general health. There are many opportunities in Virginia for dental assistants and other trained professionals in the healthcare industries.
Job opportunities for dental assistants are expected to experience strong growth in Virginia between 2016 and 2026 at a rate of approximately 24.7 percent. Each year there is an average of 1,210 job openings in this field throughout the state.
The reason for this demand is largely due to an aging population and advances in dental care. Many people are keeping their natural teeth longer and needing more dental work as they age. This means that more dental assistants will be needed to help dentist provide care to patients.
If you’re interested in a career as a dental assistant in Virginia, there are a few things you need to do to get started. First, you’ll need to complete an accredited dental assisting program. Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to pass the Dental Assisting National Board exam. This is a certification test that shows you have the knowledge to be successful in this field. You can find more information on how to become a dental assistant by visiting your local career center, talking with friends and family members who are already working in the field, or performing an internet search for dental assistant programs in Virginia.
The salary paid to dental assistants in Virginia is very close to or slightly higher than earnings of dental assistants across the United 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 |
| Virginia | 2016 | 8,260 | 2026 | 10,300 | 2,040 | 24.7% | 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 |
| Virginia | 8,140 | $21.26 | $44,210 | $29,190 | $34,990 | $42,910 | $50,720 | $63,760 |
The largest number of dental assisting jobs in this state is available in large metropolitan areas such as Arlington, Alexandria, Virginia Beach and Richmond. The highest paid jobs in Virginia tend to be in the Arlington, Alexandria and Blacksburg areas. Areas with lower population such as Kingsport and Harrisonburg typically pay slightly less.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 80 | $22.70 | $47,210 | $33,810 | $38,700 | $47,260 | $57,030 | $62,900 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 250 | $18.42 | $38,320 | $28,100 | $32,170 | $36,770 | $43,290 | $52,790 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 160 | $17.43 | $36,240 | $26,620 | $32,280 | $36,030 | $39,740 | $47,020 |
| Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA | 240 | $17.01 | $35,380 | $25,420 | $28,750 | $34,530 | $41,180 | $48,940 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 230 | $20.18 | $41,980 | $27,090 | $31,800 | $39,700 | $49,550 | $62,950 |
| Richmond, VA | 1480 | $18.78 | $39,060 | $29,560 | $33,850 | $39,270 | $45,740 | $49,650 |
| Roanoke, VA | 220 | $18.85 | $39,210 | $29,840 | $34,470 | $38,710 | $44,600 | $50,180 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | ** | $19.71 | $41,000 | $32,920 | $36,650 | $42,260 | $47,600 | $51,090 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1870 | $19.04 | $39,600 | $25,920 | $33,390 | $38,920 | $46,800 | $52,920 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 6050 | $23.01 | $47,860 | $28,990 | $36,740 | $46,100 | $56,500 | $70,490 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 140 | $19.75 | $41,080 | $27,680 | $33,150 | $40,700 | $49,060 | $56,560 |
Dental assistants in Virginia are among the most well-compensated healthcare workers in the state. Employees in this profession usually earn more than similar occupations such as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and nursing assistants, but not as much as physical therapist assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 10320 | $16.44 | $34,190 | $23,310 | $27,330 | $33,210 | $39,440 | $47,730 |
| Nursing Assistants | 41140 | $14.13 | $29,400 | $20,870 | $24,070 | $27,950 | $31,880 | $37,900 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 2930 | $28.53 | $59,340 | $31,790 | $48,700 | $60,530 | $72,430 | $82,190 |
| Dental Assistants | 8140 | $21.26 | $44,210 | $29,190 | $34,990 | $42,910 | $50,720 | $63,760 |
| Medical Assistants | 14860 | $17.55 | $36,510 | $25,760 | $29,510 | $35,070 | $41,450 | $51,430 |