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Compare dental assistant licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$47,023
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
2 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$89
across 47 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,280#50 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Alaska | $55,950#6 | 1 mo#1 | $120#38 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arizona | $49,000#12 | 1 mo#1 | $375#45 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arkansas | $37,680#47 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| California | $48,910#13 | 9 mo#45 | $75#28 | 2 wk#1 |
| Colorado | $47,770#22 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Connecticut | $50,820#10 | 1 mo#1 | $680#47 | 2 wk#1 |
| Delaware | $46,090#33 | 1 mo#1 | $300#44 | 2 wk#1 |
| District of Columbia | $56,500#5 | 1 mo#1 | $385#46 | 2 wk#1 |
| Florida | $47,060#26 | 9 mo#45 | $90#33 | 2 wk#1 |
| Georgia | $45,600#37 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Hawaii | $44,870#39 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Idaho | $39,460#44 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Illinois | $47,430#24 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Indiana | $47,980#20 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Iowa | $47,820#21 | 1 mo#1 | $40#18 | 2 wk#1 |
| Kansas | $39,840#43 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Kentucky | $46,520#32 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Louisiana | $38,150#46 | 9 mo#45 | $100#35 | 2 wk#1 |
| Maine | $51,340#7 | 9 mo#45 | $161#41 | 2 wk#1 |
| Maryland | $48,280#16 | 1 mo#1 | $100#35 | 2 wk#1 |
| Massachusetts | $57,960#2 | 1 mo#1 | $75#28 | 2 wk#1 |
| Michigan | $47,030#27 | 1 mo#1 | $36#16 | 2 wk#1 |
| Minnesota | $64,630#1 | 1 mo#1 | $80#31 | 2 wk#1 |
| Mississippi | $37,130#51 | 1 mo#1 | $25#14 | 2 wk#1 |
| Missouri | $45,220#38 | 1 mo#1 | $10#12 | 2 wk#1 |
| Montana | $45,820#36 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| Nebraska | $46,660#31 | 1 mo#1 | $25#14 | 2 wk#1 |
| Nevada | $46,970#29 | 1 mo#1 | $200#43 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Hampshire | $50,260#11 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Jersey | $48,070#17 | 1 mo#1 | $75#28 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Mexico | $38,840#45 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| New York | $47,020#28 | 9 mo#45 | $175#42 | 2 wk#1 |
| North Carolina | $48,710#14 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| North Dakota | $51,310#8 | 1 mo#1 | $130#40 | 2 wk#1 |
| Ohio | $47,330#25 | 9 mo#45 | $100#35 | 2 wk#1 |
| Oklahoma | $44,450#40 | 1 mo#1 | $60#26 | 2 wk#1 |
| Oregon | $57,720#3 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290#15 | 9 mo#45 | $120#38 | 2 wk#1 |
| Rhode Island | $48,060#18 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| South Carolina | $45,930#35 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| South Dakota | $47,680#23 | 1 mo#1 | $20#13 | 2 wk#1 |
| Tennessee | $46,090#33 | 1 mo#1 | $37.5#17 | 2 wk#1 |
| Texas | $42,270#42 | 1 mo#1 | $70#27 | 2 wk#1 |
| Utah | $37,320#49 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Vermont | $51,020#9 | 1 mo#1 | $80#31 | 2 wk#1 |
| Virginia | $46,910#30 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| Washington | $57,040#4 | 1 mo#1 | $90#33 | 2 wk#1 |
| West Virginia | $37,330#48 | 1 mo#1 | $50#19 | 2 wk#1 |
| Wisconsin | $48,000#19 | 1 mo#1 | $0#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| Wyoming | $42,770#41 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.