Deciding on a new career as a dental assistant requires research and due diligence. When you take these steps at the beginning, it can save you a lot of headache down the road. It can also help you design a career path for yourself that will help you advance in your field and meet your income potential.

Part of this process involves researching the industries with the highest employment levels at the time and evaluating what you can earn as a dental assistant in that field. Some industries might be more desirable to you, but if the job market in that industry is struggling you want to know this in the beginning.

For example, dental offices, physician offices, federal executive branch, employment services, and colleges, universities and professional schools all exhibit strong employment levels, even in a down economy. Dental assistants in the federal executive branch industry earn the most at $36,170 per year while those in employment services also earn a good salary at $35,020. Dental assistants in dental offices earn $33,190 per year and $30,470 per year in physician offices. Those working in colleges, universities, and professional schools earn an average of $32,370 per year.

This chart displays annual mean salaries for Dental Assistant in the U.S. The data was collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES - May 2008.

 

When choosing the industry in which you would like to work, be sure you understand the daily tasks of that job. Take into account whether you will enjoy that field as well as the salary potential to ensure you stay in the industry for the long term.

Thinking of becoming a Dental Assistant? Get Free info from the U.S. Career Institute and see how easy it is to get started on this exciting career path! Learn more | Request free info

Related Charts for Dental Assistant Salaries:

Dental Assisting Pay Scale - All Industries

Dental Assisting Salaries - Popular Metropolitan Areas

Dental Assisting Salary Ranges - Popular Paying States

The bar graph above shows the Dental Assisting salaries for industries with the highest employment levels. The data is shown below in table format:

Industry	Annual Mean Wage
Dental Offices	33,190
Physician Offices	30,470
Federal Executive Branch	36,170
Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools	32,370
Employment Services	35,020