Dental Assistant salary in Indiana
Dental Assistants in Indiana earn a median of $48,670 a year ($23.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Indiana ranks 18th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.1 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| 25th percentile | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Median | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 75th percentile | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Average (mean) | $50,480 | $24.27 |
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 | $4,055.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,027.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,871.92 |
| Weekly | $935.96 |
| Hourly | $23.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Indiana
| 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 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,170 | 130 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Massage Therapist | $55,590 | $26.72 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $41,400 | $19.90 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Orderly | $38,540 | $18.53 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for dental assistants in Indiana is $48,670 a year, or $23.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Indiana?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Indiana earn at least $60,590 a year. The top 25% earn $57,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,880 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,860 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Indiana?
About 6,690 dental assistants are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.