The average nominal hourly wage for dental assistants has increased from $9 per hour in 1990 to $24.20 per hour in 2024, according to data from the American Dental Association.
The ADA’s Health Policy Institute collected compensation data for both full-time and part-time dental assistants from 1990, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019 and 2024.
Over the past 35 years, the average hourly wage for assistants has climbed by more than 168%.
Here is the average nominal hourly wage for dental assistants since 1990:
Source: Dental assistant pay nearly triples since 1990 / Becker’s Dental