Dental Assistant salary in Bloomington, IN
Dental Assistants in the Bloomington, IN metro area earn a median of $48,170 a year ($23.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,980 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 1% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $48,670. There are 1.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $49,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Bloomington, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Median | $48,170 | $23.16 |
| 75th percentile | $55,840 | $26.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Average (mean) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
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 | $4,014.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,007.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,852.69 |
| Weekly | $926.35 |
| Hourly | $23.16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $52,830 | 160 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,970 | 2,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,920 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $48,730 | 190 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,670 | 630 |
| Kokomo, IN | $48,360 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,000 | 300 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Columbus, IN | $47,260 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,450 | 110 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,500 | 140 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bloomington, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $43,900 | $21.10 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,920 | $16.79 |
| Massage Therapist | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,750 | $15.26 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $36,860 | $17.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Bloomington, IN
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 Bloomington, IN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Bloomington, IN metro area is $48,170 a year, or $23.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Bloomington, IN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Bloomington, IN metro area earn at least $60,980 a year. The top 25% earn $55,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Bloomington, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,010 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $44,370 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Bloomington, IN?
About 130 dental assistants are employed in the Bloomington, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.