Dental Assistant salary in Washington
Dental Assistants in Washington earn a median of $58,090 a year ($27.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,230 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $48,070. Washington ranks 6th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 3.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,680, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| 25th percentile | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Median | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| 75th percentile | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Average (mean) | $56,680 | $27.25 |
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 | $4,840.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,420.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,234.23 |
| Weekly | $1,117.12 |
| Hourly | $27.93 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $62,040 | 7,100 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,890 | 4,120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $50,980 | 1,000 |
| Bellingham, WA | $49,830 | 410 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $49,800 | 470 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $49,790 | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,540 | 520 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $49,530 | 230 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,890 | 480 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $48,300 | 210 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $47,500 | 190 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $47,360 | 100 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,670 | 480 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Massage Therapist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $62,040 | $29.83 |
| Phlebotomist | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,180 | $23.65 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $52,570 | $25.27 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for dental assistants in Washington is $58,090 a year, or $27.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Washington earn at least $68,230 a year. The top 25% earn $62,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,280 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $48,780 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Washington?
About 13,050 dental assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.