Washington, D.C., saw the largest year-over-year increase in the average annual salary for dental assistants from 2024 to 2025, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Across the U.S., the average annual salary for dental assistants increased $1,340, growing from $48,860 in 2024 to $50,200 in 2025.
Nevada was the only state where dental assistants’ pay decreased more than $1,000 year over year.
The agency updated compensation data May 15 to reflect 2025 information, the latest available.
Here are the ten states with the largest jumps in dental assistant compensation using salary data from 2024 and 2025:
District of Columbia
2024 average salary: $57,390
2025 average salary: $63,360
Increase of $5,970
Idaho
2024 average salary: $42,710
2025 average salary: $47,250
Increase of $4,540
New Hampshire
2024 average salary: $52,850
2025 average salary: $57,200
Increase of $4,350
Michigan
2024 average salary: $45,990
2025 average salary: $49,650
Increase of $3,660
Tennessee
2024 average salary: $46,680
2025 average salary: $49,670
Increase of $2,990
Maine
2024 average salary: $54,190
2025 average salary: $57,140
Increase of $2,950
New Mexico
2024 average salary: $42,290
2025 average salary: $45,130
Increase of $2,840
Mississippi
2024 average salary: $40,160
2025 average salary: $42,910
Increase of $2,750
Kentucky
2024 average salary: $45,720
2025 average salary: $48,440
Increase of $2,720
Connecticut
2024 average salary: $51,540
2025 average salary: $53,970
Increase of $2,430
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