The median 2013 dental assistant salary in Louisiana was $28,800 a year. Experienced dental assistants earned $34,190 on average, while the salary for those entering the workforce was $24,320.
The median salaries for Louisiana dental assistants varied by over $6,000 between the different regional labor market areas (RLMA) in the state.
The highest median salary was in the New Orleans RLMA:
- New Orleans – $30,868
- Monroe – $30,723
- Lake Charles – $29,648
- Shreveport – $28,410
- Baton Rouge – $28,311
- Alexandria – $27,577
- Lafayette – $25,884
- Houma – $24,808
In 2012, 3,563 dental assistants were employed in Louisiana. The field of dental assisting is growing for several reasons. There is a much greater understanding of the link between oral and general health. This is leading to an increase in preventative dental care that is frequently carried out by dental assistants. Also, more of the aging U.S. population is keeping its original teeth, creating a growing demand for dental care.
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The number of dental assistant jobs in Louisiana is projected to increase by 1% a year in the ten-year period ending in 2022, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The Commission predicts that 112 medical assistant jobs a year will become available in the state on average. Two thirds of these jobs will be to replace workers who will leave the field. The remaining 38 jobs will come from growth in the dental assisting field.
The BLS also provides a detailed breakdown of 2013 dental assisting salaries in the metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of Louisiana:
Area name
Employment
Hourly mean wage
Annual mean wage
Hourly median wage
Hourly 75th percentile wage
Hourly 90th percentile wage
Annual median wage
Annual 75th percentile wage
Annual 90th percentile wage
Alexandria LA
80
12.96
26960
12.87
16.09
17.71
26770
33460
36840
Baton Rouge LA
630
13.81
28720
13.30
16.05
18.22
27670
33390
37910
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux LA
170
12.54
26090
11.93
14.21
17.54
24810
29550
36480
Lafayette LA
340
12.77
26570
12.46
14.19
16.48
25920
29520
34280
Lake Charles LA
160
15.63
32510
14.65
19.14
21.60
30470
39810
44930
Monroe LA
250
13.99
29100
14.37
17.17
19.72
29890
35720
41010
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner LA
1290
14.94
31070
14.90
16.95
18.19
31000
35260
37830
Shreveport-Bossier City LA
340
14.11
29350
13.52
16.71
20.40
28130
34760
42430
Hammond nonmetropolitan area
70
16.02
33310
16.07
17.83
20.23
33420
37090
42080
Natchitoches nonmetropolitan area
160
13.63
28360
13.38
14.81
17.91
27830
30800
37250
Winnsboro nonmetropolitan area
130
13.97
29060
14.32
16.56
17.90
29790
34450
37240
New Iberia nonmetropolitan area
210
12.25
25480
12.33
13.88
15.07
25640
28860
31340
Are you interested in dental assistant jobs? Read on as we discuss the average salary of dental assistants across the United States and Canada.
Dental assistants serve as aides to dentists and their hygienists. With the American Dental Assistant’s Association as their professional organization, dental assistants in the U.S. can become registered and certified on a state as well as a national level.
The U.S. Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers five national certifications:
- National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®)
- Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA®)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA®)
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA®)
The higher the certification and specialization level, the higher salary you can expect.
According to the Canadian Dental Assistants Association, each Canadian province has its own governing body with specific requirements. 74% of Canadian dental assistants are registered, certified, or licensed under the jurisdiction of the provincial Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (DARA).
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Each dental assistant job description varies by employer but generally includes:
- Helping with dental procedures
- Creating tooth molds and dental impressions
- Going over patient care
- Preparing patients for surgery
- Utilizing dental instruments and equipment
- Cleaning and sterilizing instruments
- Preparing exam and procedure rooms
- Handling customer service needs
Which Dental Assistants Make the Most Money?
Dental assisting pay varies based on skill, experience, and certification level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, the top-paying dental assistants work in the following areas:
State governments (excluding schools and hospitals) | $50,170 |
Specialty hospitals (excluding psychiatric and substance abuse) | $48,210 |
Home healthcare services | $47,930 |
General medical and surgical hospitals | $47,180 |
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS designation) | $45,970 |
Please note, however, that these choice jobs represent less than one half of one percent of all dental assistant jobs. The majority of dental assistants, by far, work in dentists’ offices.
Average Dental Assistant Annual Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for dental assistants in the U.S. is $42,510 per year, often including 401k and benefits. Acquiring different certifications or passing various Dental Assisting National Board courses may help you earn above this average salary. The dental care and dental hygiene fields offer many career growth opportunities.
What Is the Hourly Wage of a Dental Assistant?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for U.S. dental assistants in 2021 was $20.44 per hour. The Canadian Job Bank lists the wage range for dental assistants (NOC 3411) as between $18 and $32 CAD per hour.
Registered Dental Assistant Salary
According to 2022 data from Salary.com, RDAs in the U.S. make a median annual salary of $40,890 per year.
Certified Dental Assistant Salary
According to the DANB 2020-2021 Survey, those with CDA certification make a median hourly wage of $22.09, or almost $46,000 per year.
Dental Assistant Salary Across States and Provinces
Your pay may vary depending on where you live since salaries vary widely by state. Below, we look at the average wages for dental assistants in a sampling of U.S. states and Canadian provinces according to ZipRecruiter and, in Canada, the Canadian Job Bank. Please note that ZipRecruiter’s figures are significantly lower than those from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, ZipRecruiter provides an average U.S. salary of $35,961, as compared to the government figure of $42,510, so please make comparisons accordingly.
Dental Assistant Salary, North Carolina (N.C.)
Dental assistants in North Carolina typically make $26,051 per year or $12.52 per hour. NC is the lowest paying state in the entire United States for dental assistants. The highest paying cities in N.C. are Greensboro, Gastonia, and Greenville.
Dental Assistant Salary, Texas
Texas dental assistants make around $32,632 per year or $15.69 per hour, with a pay range from $18,607 to $42,973.
Dental Assistant Salary, Florida
Florida dental assistant salaries rank 43 out of all U.S. states. The average FL dental assistant makes $29,126 per year or $14 per hour.
Dental Assistant Salary, California
California dental assistant salaries are, on average, $35,835 per year or $17.23 per hour.
Dental Assistant Salary, Arizona (AZ)
Arizona dental assistants make an average salary of $32,034 per year or $15.40 per hour.
Dental Assistant Salary, Louisiana
Dental assistants in Louisiana make an average of $30,619 per year or $14.72 per hour. Salaries in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Metairie all exceed the state’s average.
Dental Assistant Salary, Colorado
Dental assistants typically make around $30,455 each year or $14.64 per hour in Colorado. The highest reported salaries are in Lakewood, Louisville, and Centennial.
Dental Assistant Salary, Missouri
Missouri’s average dental assistant pay is $27,985 per year or $13.45 per hour. By working in Columbia, Kansas City, or St. Charles, you may make around 22% to 30% higher than the state’s average.
Dental Assistant Salary, Georgia
Georgia dental assistants make an average of $30,904 per year or $14.86 per hour. Cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Johns Creek all pay higher.
Dental Assistant Salary, Washington
The highest paying state for dental assistants in the United States is Washington. Topping the U.S. salary charts, Washington dental assistants make an average of $40,032 per year or $19.25 per hour.
Dental Assistant Salary in British Columbia, Canada (B.C.)
Dental assisting in British Columbia usually pays between $18-32 CAD per hour per year, depending on your experience level.
Dental Assistant Salary in Alberta, Canada
According to the Canadian Job Bank, dental assistants in Alberta make an average wage between $21-35 CAD per hour.
Dental Assistant Salary in Ontario, Canada
Dental assistants in Ontario, Canada, are able to make between $18-28 CAD per hour, with a median salary of $23, according to the Canadian Job Bank. The most lucrative geographic areas are the Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region and the Toronto Region.
Conclusion
If you’re considering a dental assistant career, hopefully, this article has helped clarify how much you might make and where you could work to maximize your earnings.
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