Dental Assistant salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Dental Assistants in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $44,800 a year ($21.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,540 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $44,090. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,650, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| 25th percentile | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Median | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 75th percentile | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Average (mean) | $41,650 | $20.02 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,733.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,866.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,723.08 |
| Weekly | $861.54 |
| Hourly | $21.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hammond, LA | $45,950 | 100 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $45,920 | 760 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,020 | 370 |
| Lafayette, LA | $44,940 | 620 |
| Alexandria, LA | $43,270 | 120 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $40,200 | 220 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $38,950 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $37,870 | 210 |
| Monroe, LA | $37,020 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $27,920 | $13.43 |
| Massage Therapist | $30,820 | $14.82 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $30,930 | $14.87 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| Nursing Assistant | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $21,910 | $10.54 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,510 | $31.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $37,130 | $17.85 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $44,800 a year, or $21.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $48,540 a year. The top 25% earn $46,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,040 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,760 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 950 dental assistants are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.