I have had so many people ask me where dental assistants get paid the most that I decided to begin a comment thread. If you are thinking of becoming a dental assistant then this will soon become a great resource!
Please comment with where you live and how much you make. You can add more information such as how long you have been working etc. if you like.
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Discussion Forum 3 comment(s) Where Do Dental Assistants Get Paid The Most? 13 comment(s) Dental Assisting Tips - The Little Things Matter Most 2 comment(s) Make More Money: The Manual For Dental Assistants 2 comment(s) 5 Things You Must Know or Do Before Your Job Interview 4 comment(s) 
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t be shy, Be anonymous!
Here is something to get you all started:
City: Cincinnati
Salary: $14 per hour
Other info: Been assisting for about 4 years!
The ONLY way you can make money in dental assisting is to be with one employer for a long time. I have been a dental assistant for 40 years. Dentists are not willing to give a new hire the salary she deserves.
This is what I hear a lot Jane. Most assistants settle for the fact that they need to start really low and fight their way up the salary latter. While this is true in most cases, I firmly believe there is a better way. Dentists are looking for specific traits in dental assistants. IF you can present as a dental assistant that fulfills all these needs then you are priceless.
I suggest dental assistants follow the guidelines I talk about in this blog and the manual to establish themselves in the office. You will get paid what YOU think you are worth. This is how life works. People nearly never exceed their goals ro dreams, so DREAM BIG. You can not hit a goal that you do not have.
If you are a dental assistant that wants to make more money, how much more? What is your 1, 5, 10 year goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? These are critical things to think about because it establishes what you think you are worth.
I have hired employees in all pay ranges. The ones that got paid the least mostly did so because they almost asked for a lower pay. The ones that got paid the most presented themselves as worth that much. This is of course over simplifying things, but it really is not that complicated.
What is the salary that a new hire deserves?
When I chose dental assisting as a job, I had no idea that it would become my career. Now, 16 years later, with 3 certifications I have attained a great salary with benefits that far exceed what I imagined. I found that the more I invested in myself, the more invaluable I became to my doctor and office.
My advice to “new hires”….there is no limit to the salary you can earn when you believe in yourself and give 100% to the career you choose.
City: Macon, Georgia
Salary today: $23.50 per hour
Well said Sheila. Let’s all remember that your “salary” is not the only part of the package. Your office should have a bonus system, benefits, vacations, sick pay, etc!
Arkansas RDA
11.00
3 Months Employed
Real world feedback is so much more important than any list you can look up.
Thank you for your feedback.
Yesterday was a great day in my office – gave a raise and am on my way to a record month! And not to mention, we are only working 3 weeks this month! Thanks to my great staff.
I have been a Dental Assistant/EDDA for 16 years, time flies:) The last 7 years I have been doing alot of case presentation and marketing. I love the variety that I can do in the office. The more you know and the more you can do in the office, the more valuable you become. You need to cross train in your office so you can do everything, with the exception of cleaning teeth of course. You need to be so valuable to your office that they can’t do it without you:)
I agree it is not just about the salary, you have to look at the whole package. A bonus system is a great thing to have & is a great incentive for the staff. It is also the little things that make a staff feel appreciated. In our office one of the big ones is when the boss buys us coffee. Something small but we just LOVE IT!
Oh and I do happen to have a great boss. This is going to be a great month!
Rocky
I have been a Dental Assistant, RDA, for thirty years. It took a while to get to $45,000.00 a year plus bonus. The feeling of accomplishment and the extreme satisfaction of a patient, that is what makes it worth while. With supervision of the Dr. I am able to learn and do more. The more you know the more valuable you are not only to the Dr. but to the rest of the office . The appreciation for doing my best was a trip to cancun with all expenses paid for two. Having a dedicated boss who cares for patients both in and out of the office and who looks out for his staff is a precious gem.
What a great story. Success as a dental assistant is entirely possible! Dentistry is a rewarding profession, and if you find the right office to work for then you can make good money and have incredible benefits. My goal with The Highest Paid Dental Assistant is to bring this type of success to more dental assistants. We, as dentists, would do just about anything for dental assistants that make our practice succeed. Thank you for sharing your success story.
Thanks a lot for the guidance I really learned new things from this post..
Your welcome!
Danny
3 months employed
attended a 10wk school
making $10.00 hr
The Valley, CA