Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Dental Assistants professionals earn $3,100 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 7.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Dental Assistants earns $61,780 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$61,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Medical Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $35,020 | +$1,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $37,610 | +$1,910 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $44,200 | +$3,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $48,160 | +$8,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | $57,830 | +$3,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $44,720 | +$4,140 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Dental Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,270 |
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants?
Dental Assistants professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,100 (7.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants salaries range from $36,190 (10th percentile) to $61,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,300.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Dental Assistants and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Medical Assistants earns $44,200. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS