verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$60,580/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$29.13/hr
▲ 26% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
630
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$55,122 #8 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in District of Columbia, explained

Dental assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $60,580 per year ($29.13 per hour), which is 26% above the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $47,530, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $74,960. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $60,580 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $60,580 is worth about $55,122 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #8 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$47,530
$22.85/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$60,580
$29.13/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$74,960
$36.04/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $60,580 $55,122
Maryland $48,620 $46,323 +$11,960
Virginia $46,670 $46,160 +$13,910

Dental Assistant in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in District of Columbia?

Dental assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $60,580 per year ($29.13 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay dental assistants well?

At $60,580, District of Columbia pays 26% above the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 630 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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