Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for Dental Assistants is $42,510 per year, while Medical Assistants earn an average of $38,190 annually. Therefore, Medical Assistants earn a lower salary than Dental Assistants.

Keep in mind, however, that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For instance, Dental Assistants in Minnesota may have higher earnings (averaging $53,080 per annum) compared to those in Louisiana ($33,560). As another example, the average pay of Medical Assistants in Washington is 55% higher compared to those in Louisiana.

Dental Assistants vs Medical Assistants overview

Dental Assistants and Medical Assistants are two important jobs in the Health Care Services industry. Many people are interested in understanding the distinctions between these job titles, including the average earnings for each of them.

Dental Assistant job description

Dental Assistants perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Dental Assistant education and experience

Of Dental Assistants, about a half hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, 29% have a High School Diploma, and 17% hold a College Course Certificate. When it comes to experience, 27% of Dental Assistant jobs require a 1 to 2 years of work-related experience. A smaller part of jobs (21%) require a previous experience of 3 to 6 months.

Dental Assistant average salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 347,170 Dental Assistants employed in the United States in 2021, and they earned a mean annual income of $42,510. The bottom 10 percent earned $29,580 or less, and the top 10 percent earned $59,540 or more. Compared to the previous year, the average salary has risen by 0.5%.

Do Dental Assistants make good money?

Dental Assistants are not typically well paid, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Additionally, they earn 40% less than the average pay of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Dental Assistants are not typically well paid, as their average salary is 27% lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Dental Assistants job growth

In 2021, there have been 35,030 more Dental Assistant roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 11.2%. The average job growth over the past 3 years has been 1%.

Medical Assistant job description

Medical Assistants perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Medical Assistant education and experience

Of Medical Assistants, 45% hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, 21% have a High School Diploma, and 17% hold a Bachelor's Degree. With regard to experience, 41% of Medical Assistant jobs require a 6 months to 1 year of work-related experience. A smaller part of jobs (20%) do not require any previous experience.

Medical Assistant average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Medical Assistants employed by the United States in 2021 was 727,760, and on average, they earned $38,190 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $29,070 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $48,170 or more. The average salary marks an increase of 3.4% compared the previous year.

Do Medical Assistants make good money?

Medical Assistants salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is about a third lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they earn about a half less than the average pay of the Health Care Services industry ($70,360).

Medical Assistants salaries are often not as high as those in other fields, as their average salary is about a third lower than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Medical Assistants job growth

In 2021, there have been 17,560 more Medical Assistant roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 2.5%. Job growth has averaged 2.6% for the last 3 years.

FAQ

Do Dental Assistants or Medical Assistants make more?

Dental Assistants make 11% more than Medical Assistants. The average annual salary for Medical Assistants is $38,190, while Dental Assistants earn $42,510 per year.

How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant vs Medical Assistant?

Both Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant jobs generally require a Post-Secondary Certificate. Obtaining a Post-Secondary Certificate usually takes between 1 year and 2 years of study.

Is it harder to become a Dental Assistant vs Medical Assistant?

The education requirements for both job titles are similar, making the difficulty of achieving either one equal.