Dental Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Dental Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $50,150 a year ($24.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,900 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $48,070. Rhode Island ranks 13th 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 $52,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Median | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| 75th percentile | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Average (mean) | $52,790 | $25.38 |
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 | $4,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,089.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,928.85 |
| Weekly | $964.42 |
| Hourly | $24.11 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $49,460 | 1,650 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,640 | $33.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Orderly | $39,830 | $19.15 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for dental assistants in Rhode Island is $50,150 a year, or $24.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $60,900 a year. The top 25% earn $59,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,640 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,070 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Rhode Island?
About 1,050 dental assistants are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.