Dental Assistant Salary Breakdown
If you are looking for a new career, consider the benefits of becoming a dental assistant. Dental assistants will assists dentists, cosmetic dentists, and dental hygienists while they are taking care of patients. They complete more routine tasks in the dentist office and may complete more complex procedures as they gain experience. Among all of their duties, they primary do patient care, lab work, and even office duties when the dentist asks. Learn everything you need to know about the average dental assistant salary, required training, and the nature of the work so you can decide if this is the right career for you.
What is a Dental Assistant?
Dental assistants are professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed and practicing dentist. To become an assistant, you must complete a training program and pass a certification test. You should check to see if your state requires you to hold a license or a certificate to work in the state. If you want to find the best dental assistant training, you should check with the Commission on Dental Accreditation to see which dental-assisting programs are accepted and recognized throughout the nation. The CODA list includes private schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and other schools that have the right type of coursework to prepare your for the industry. When you complete these programs you may earn a higher dental assistant salary than students who do not.
Nature of Work for Dental Assistants
When you are choosing a career, you need to consider the work environment before you enroll yourself into training. If you do not like the environment, the last thing you want to do is enroll yourself in school and complete school just to decide you do not like the field. Dental assistants are on their feet for long periods of time. They must wear protective gear like gloves, a mask, and eye wear when they are caring for patients. Most dental assistants work a part-time schedule that may include evenings and weekends. It is important to have an open schedule when you are working for a dental office with extended hours.
What is the Average Dental Assistant Salary?
When you go to school to earn a certificate or a license, you need to consider how much you will make when you start your new job. People work to make money. While you do want to enjoy what you are doing, you should also make enough money to support yourself and pay your bills. Studies report that the median annual wages for a dental assistant in the United States is approximately $32,380. These numbers were reported in 2008. The lowest wage earners will earn about $22,000 and the higher wage earners will earn approximately $46,150. These numbers are expected to change within the next few years as the demand for qualified dental assistants grows.
What Will Affect the Dental Assistant Salary?
You need to consider all of the factors that will affect your earnings when you are entering into the dentistry industry. There are reasons why the average earners make $22,000 and the higher wage earners earn more than double that. One of the biggest factors that will affect how much you earn in your geographical location. If you live in an area where there are not many dentist offices, it could be hard to find a position near you. These offices also usually charge less for services so you in turn will make less per hour. Metropolitan areas always report higher wages than suburbs.
As with any industry, having experience will help you earn more money. As an entry-level assistant, you will make a lower salary because you have to become familiar with your duties and improve your skills. Even dental assistants who attend hands-on training programs do not know what they will do on the job until they are hired. As you become more familiar with the way the dentist works and the duties you need to perform, you will receive raises and new opportunities. As you become more familiar with your duties, you will get more responsibilities which are great to add to your resume.
Most part-time dental assistants do not receive medical benefits. It is important to consider this fact when you are looking for a job. You may earn bonuses and overtime depending on your employer.
As you can see, you can earn a sizable dental assistant salary without having to dedicate more than 1 or 2 years to schooling. Find a respected dental assistant training program and enroll yourself as soon as possible so you can enter a new career that have a growing need for new professionals. Do your homework, compare the salaries of several different positions, and make sure you consider the hours and benefits you receive when you are accepting a job offer.