Dental Surgery Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Dental Surgery Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Dental Surgery Assistant in the United States is $42,441 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, a Dental Surgery Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,705
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,880 to $46,767
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,728
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View as table View as graph 25% $37,880 10% $33,728 90% $50,705 75% $46,767 $42,441 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Dental Surgery Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,767 $3,897 $899 $22
Average $42,441 $3,537 $816 $20
25th Percentile $37,880 $3,157 $728 $18
Check out Dental Surgery Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Front Office Assistant Surgery Scheduler

Gen4 Dental - Columbus, OH

Dental Assistant

MICROSURGICAL ENDODONTICS - Columbus, OH

Dental Assistant

THOMAS NIEDERHELMAN DDS LTD - Columbus, OH

Dental Assistant

North Columbus Dental Partners LLP - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Dental Surgery Assistant Salaries

A Dental Surgery Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Dental Surgery Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Dental Surgery Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,997
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,896
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $44,831
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $45,039
  • Expert (over 8 years): $45,177
Levels Salary
Entry Level Dental Surgery Assistant$41,997
Intermediate Level Dental Surgery Assistant$42,896
Senior Level Dental Surgery Assistant$44,831
Specialist Level Dental Surgery Assistant$45,039
Expert Level Dental Surgery Assistant$45,177
$41,997 0 yr
$42,896 < 2 yrs
$44,831 2-4 yrs
$45,039 5-8 yrs
$45,177 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Dental Surgery Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $53,530
  • San Francisco: $52,944
  • Oakland: $51,829

What Skills Can Increase a Dental Surgery Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 8.41% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 6.09% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Front Office (Mentioned in 2.38% Job Postings): The front office represents the customer-facing division of a firm. For example, customer service, sales, and industry experts who provide advisory services are considered part of a firm's front office operations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 8.41%
CPR 6.09%
Front Office 2.38%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Dental Surgery Assistant's salary.
  • Clinical Support: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Clinical Care: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Support
$46,260
9%
Clinical Care
$44,987
6%
Leadership
$44,563
5%
Presentation
$43,714
3%
Collaboration
$43,290
2%
HIPAA
$43,290
2%
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Dental Surgery Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Dental Surgery Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Dental Surgery Assistant positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Dental Surgery Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Dental Surgery Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$50,929$24.020%

How Education impacts a Dental Surgery Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dental Surgery Assistants enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Dental Surgery Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $45,040 and $47,788).

Dental Surgery Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Dental Surgery Assistant
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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Dental Surgery Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Dental Surgery Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Dental Surgery Assistant

Salaries for a Dental Surgery Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $45,832 in 2023 to around $45,607 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dental Surgery Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Dental Surgery Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$45,832
2024
$45,795
2025
$45,607
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $45,832
2024 $45,795
2025 $45,607
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Dental Surgery Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Dental Surgery Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Dental Surgery Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Dental Surgery Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Dental Surgery Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Greentree Dental Group

    Columbus, OH

    Greentree Dental Group | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Dental Assistant. Upper Arlington, OH | Full-Time. At. Greentree Dental Group. we believe dentistry is about more than he... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Portia J. Bell, DDS Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Portia J. Bell, DDS Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About us. Portia J Bell, DDS, Inc. is a private dental practice in Columbus, OH. We are professional, rewarding, and comm... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Infinity Dental

    Columbus, OH

    Infinity Dental | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Dental Office Assistant. Schedule. Tues–Thurs, 6:30 AM–3:00 PM (Potential Monday add‐on). Benefits. 401(k) with up to 3% ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Zollege

    Columbus, OH

    Zollege | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Columbus Dental Assisting School. is hiring a Part-Time Dental Assistant Instructor for our ongoing 12-week ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • PRASHANTHI VADHI DDS INC

    Columbus, OH

    PRASHANTHI VADHI DDS INC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits/Perks. Careers Advancement Opportunities. Flexible Scheduling. Competitive Compensation. Job Summary. We are see... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Nationwide Childrens Hospital

    Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Childrens Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Dental Assistant. Tuesdays and Wednesdays roughly 8am-4:30pm, but may adjust depending on school hours. Will support dental clinics at KIPP Columbus (chart... more

    7 Days Ago

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FAQ about Dental Surgery Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Dental Surgery Assistant?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Dental Surgery Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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