Dental Assistant salary in Minnesota
Dental Assistants in Minnesota earn a median of $65,270 a year ($31.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $48,070. Minnesota ranks 1st of 50 states for dental assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,740, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| 25th percentile | $59,940 | $28.82 |
| Median | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 75th percentile | $74,410 | $35.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Average (mean) | $64,740 | $31.13 |
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 | $5,439.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,719.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,510.38 |
| Weekly | $1,255.19 |
| Hourly | $31.38 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $72,370 | 3,910 |
| Rochester, MN | $63,450 | 320 |
| Mankato, MN | $61,010 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $61,000 | 270 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $59,390 | 310 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $57,770 | 110 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $56,940 | 330 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $48,890 | 450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $47,180 | 230 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| Orderly | $44,550 | $21.42 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for dental assistants in Minnesota is $65,270 a year, or $31.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Minnesota earn at least $76,110 a year. The top 25% earn $74,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,960 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $59,940 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Minnesota?
About 5,980 dental assistants are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.