Dental Assistant salary in Dover, DE
Dental Assistants in the Dover, DE metro area earn a median of $45,700 a year ($21.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,650 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 4% lower than the Delaware statewide median of $47,600. There are 2.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,280, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Dover, DE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| 25th percentile | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Median | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| 75th percentile | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,650 | $26.76 |
| Average (mean) | $45,280 | $21.77 |
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 | $3,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,904.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,757.69 |
| Weekly | $878.85 |
| Hourly | $21.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,570 | 6,510 |
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 Delaware statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dover, DE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,920 | $16.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Dover, DE
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 Dover, DE?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Dover, DE metro area is $45,700 a year, or $21.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Dover, DE?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Dover, DE metro area earn at least $55,650 a year. The top 25% earn $47,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Dover, DE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,690 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $38,880 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Dover, DE?
About 190 dental assistants are employed in the Dover, DE metro area, not counting the self-employed.