Dental Assistant Salaries in West Virginia
West Virginia is one of the smaller states and has a population of just over 1.77 million people. There are no large urban areas in this state, but many of those who live in West Virginia are growing older and becoming more proactive about their dental habits and their overall health. This means there are opportunities for dental assistants and other trained healthcare professionals across the state.
Employment opportunities for dental assistants in West Virginia are expected to grow approximately 13.8 percent between 2016 and 2026. Currently there’s an average of 160 annual openings for dental assistants in this state.
Dental assistants are vital members of any dental office team. They help keep things running smoothly for patients by performing a variety of tasks. These can include chair-side duties, keeping the dentist organized and prepared for procedures, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, and providing patients with instructions on post-operative care.
West Virginia offers dental assistants plenty of opportunities to find work in a number of different settings. Some examples include private dental practices, dental clinics, and hospitals. Others may choose to find employment with the federal government or state government.
To become a dental assistant in West Virginia, you’ll first need to complete an accredited training program from one of the many schools or online programs that are available throughout the state. Courses will typically last for about two years and cover topics such as dental office administration, oral anatomy, radiography, and sterilization techniques.
In addition to completing your training program, you’ll also need a high school diploma or GED. In some cases, employers may require certification from a state-recognized organization such as the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or the American Dental Assistants Association. You’ll also need to obtain a CPR certification as well as pass a written and clinical exam before you can officially begin working as a dental assistant in West Virginia.
In West Virginia, the overall cost of living is lower than average in the United States. Because of this lower cost of living, the average annual salary paid to dental assistants in this state is lower than the national average across the country.
| 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 |
| West Virginia | 2016 | 1,230 | 2026 | 1,400 | 170 | 13.8% | 160 |
| 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 |
| West Virginia | 1,220 | $15.73 | $32,710 | $21,300 | $26,480 | $32,080 | $38,390 | $45,220 |
West Virginia primarily consists of rural areas. The largest number of career opportunities for dental assistants are in Huntington, Charleston and Martinsburg. The highest paid opportunities tend to be in Martinsburg and Morgantown.
| Area | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 100 | $14.49 | $30,140 | $19,830 | $21,410 | $29,330 | $34,770 | $39,930 |
| Charleston, WV | 200 | $14.87 | $30,930 | $20,810 | $25,400 | $30,500 | $36,370 | $42,240 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 80 | $19.20 | $39,940 | $27,800 | $34,780 | $41,060 | $46,500 | $50,190 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 180 | $19.38 | $40,320 | $29,570 | $34,250 | $40,900 | $47,090 | $51,180 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 280 | $15.92 | $33,110 | $22,140 | $26,430 | $32,530 | $38,800 | $47,120 |
| Morgantown, WV | 70 | $17.41 | $36,210 | $26,140 | $30,780 | $35,990 | $42,000 | $48,610 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 80 | $15.91 | $33,090 | $21,300 | $27,190 | $31,260 | $36,860 | $51,440 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 6050 | $23.01 | $47,860 | $28,990 | $36,740 | $46,100 | $56,500 | $70,490 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 60 | $15.89 | $33,050 | $21,180 | $26,330 | $31,950 | $39,710 | $47,050 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 100 | $16.01 | $33,310 | $20,980 | $27,230 | $35,070 | $39,060 | $42,230 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 140 | $19.75 | $41,080 | $27,680 | $33,150 | $40,700 | $49,060 | $56,560 |
Dental assistants in West Virginia typically earn more than healthcare workers in similar fields such as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and nursing assistants. Jobs for physical therapist assistants pay more than those for dental assistants.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Hourly Mean | Annual Mean | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Annual Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technicians | 3270 | $14.61 | $30,380 | $22,140 | $25,390 | $29,200 | $35,110 | $40,370 |
| Nursing Assistants | 7830 | $12.93 | $26,900 | $20,840 | $22,560 | $25,490 | $29,870 | $35,590 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 760 | $25.68 | $53,410 | $39,520 | $45,050 | $52,700 | $61,450 | $70,920 |
| Dental Assistants | 1220 | $15.73 | $32,710 | $21,300 | $26,480 | $32,080 | $38,390 | $45,220 |
| Medical Assistants | 3280 | $13.80 | $28,710 | $21,790 | $24,790 | $28,250 | $31,780 | $37,190 |