Dental Assistant salary in Louisiana
Dental Assistants in Louisiana earn a median of $44,090 a year ($21.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,640 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $48,070. Louisiana ranks 45th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,540, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Median | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 75th percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,640 | $23.87 |
| Average (mean) | $42,540 | $20.45 |
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 | $3,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,695.77 |
| Weekly | $847.88 |
| Hourly | $21.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,800 | 950 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $30,480 | $14.65 |
| Massage Therapist | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $22,520 | $10.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $22,460 | $10.80 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| Orderly | $27,330 | $13.14 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for dental assistants in Louisiana is $44,090 a year, or $21.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Louisiana earn at least $49,640 a year. The top 25% earn $46,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,050 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,590 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Louisiana?
About 4,540 dental assistants are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.