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Hourly Wage for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Salary in the United States

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The salary of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)?

As of August 01, 2025, the average hourly pay of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the United States is $20. While Salary.com is seeing that the highest pay for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the US can go up to $24 and the lowest down to $16, but most earn between $18 and $22. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in the United States.

View as table View as graph 25% $18 10% $16 90% $24 75% $22 $20 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,290 $3,858 $890 $22
Average $41,790 $3,483 $804 $20
25th Percentile $37,690 $3,141 $725 $18
500+ Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) job openings Go >
Check out Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Job Openings in the United States
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Registered Dental Hygienist ( long term temp)

Alacrity Dental Services - Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Registered Dental Hygienist

VZ Dentistry - Wheelersburg, OH

Search More Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Jobs in the United States

What is the yearly and monthly salary as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)?

As of August 01, 2025, the average annual salary is $41,790 (range: $33,957 to $50,387); the average monthly salary is $3,483 (range: $2,830 to $4,199).
Click the switch button below to see weekly and hourly salary of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

Last Updated on August 01, 2025

How does experience level affect a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)'s Salary?

As of August 01, 2025, Salary.com is seeing that an entry-level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with under 1 year experience makes about $41,056. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) makes around $41,924. After 2-4 years, the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) pay rises to about $43,805. Those senior Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $44,006, and those Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) having 8 years or more experience is expected to earn about $44,141 on average.

Levels Salary
Entry Level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) $41,056
Intermediate Level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) $41,924
Senior Level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) $43,805
Specialist Level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) $44,006
Expert Level Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) $44,141
$41,056 0 yr
$41,924 < 2 yrs
$43,805 2-4 yrs
$44,006 5-8 yrs
$44,141 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How much does salary of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) vary from city to city?

Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from city to city due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence.

For example, as of August 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in San Francisco, CA is $52,190 and in New York, NY, the average annual salary goes to $48,490. While a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) earns $46,590 per year in Boston, MA.

What are the salaries of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with different levels of education?

Salaries for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

According to our 100% employer reported salary sources the median salary for a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with a Associate's Degree is $45,151 - $47,860. Please try our salary wizard to explore how other factors like location, Years of experience and number of direct reports can impact your base pay and bonus.

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 78.4%
Associates 14.5%
Bachelors 5.9%
Masters 0.4%
Doctorate 0.2%
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What is the salary trend of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)?

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. As of August 01, 2025, our research highlights a notable shift in Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $44,740 in 2023 to about $44,521 in 2025 (for a comprehensive analysis of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$44,740
2024
$44,704
2025
$44,521
2026
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022 View More
2023 $44,740
2024 $44,704
2025 $44,521
2026 View More

Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) bonus and incentive rates

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Base Salary 59.7%
Bonuses 9.7%
Social Security 5.3%
401k/403b 3.4%
Disability 1.1%
Healthcare 9.1%
Pension 2.9%
Time Off 8.8%
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Median % of Total
Base Salary $41,790 59.7%
Bonus $6,800 9.7%
Median % of Total
Social Security $3,717 5.3%
401K/403B $2,381 3.4%
Disability $777 1.1%
Healthcare $6,371 9.1%
Pension $2,041 2.9%
Time Off $6,167 8.8%
Total Compensation $70,044 100%

Most common benefits for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Common company salaries for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Here are companies hiring for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Job openings of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Salary.com job board provides millions of Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) job openings or enter a new job title here.

FAQ about Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

1. How much is a dental assistant paid in the USA?

Dental Assistant Salary Overview: In 2023, Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) in the USA earned between $42,590 and $52,390, with a median salary of $47,690 per year. This reflects a competitive pay scale compared to other healthcare support roles, highlighting the value of dental assistants in the healthcare system.

2. Who makes more CMA or dental assistant?

The salary data indicates that a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) earns between $42,590 and $52,390, with a median salary of $47,690. This suggests that RDAs generally earn more than medical assistants. However, it's important to note that job outlook and growth opportunities are more favorable for medical assisting.

3. Is dental a good career in USA?

Dental careers, including Registered Dental Assistants (RDA), offer competitive salaries, with a range from $42,590 to $52,390. The profession is highly respected and consistently ranks among the best healthcare jobs, reflecting strong demand and job stability. This makes dentistry a promising career choice in the USA.

4. Is RDA the same as dental assistant?

Typically, Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) are permitted to perform a greater number of functions within a dental clinic than unregistered Dental Assistants. For example, RDAs can perform coronal polishing, whereas unregistered Dental Assistants are not. The salary for RDAs ranges from $42,590 to $52,390, with a median salary of $47,690.

5. How to make more money as a dental assistant?

To increase your earnings as a dental assistant, consider obtaining additional certifications and staying updated on industry advancements. Discuss advancement opportunities with your manager, consider relocating, learn a second language, and be open to working undesirable hours or for a temp agency. Salaries typically range from $42,590 to $52,390, with a median around $47,690.

6. What is the highest paid dental position?

The highest paid dental position is typically that of a dental anesthesiologist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, with salaries ranging from $290,000 to $400,000 annually. In comparison, a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) earns between $42,590 and $52,390, with a median salary of $47,690.

About Our Data

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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