2013 Southwest U.S. dental assisting salary survey
(Statistics are for Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah)
(National averages or percentages are in the parentheses to allow for comparison)
- Most common hourly rates: $16, $20, $23 ($18)
- % who earn $30 or more an hour: 9% (6%)
- % who last received a raise more than a year ago: 62% (56%)
- % who believe raises occur at fair intervals: 40% (41%)
- % who would recommend dental assisting as a profession: 67% (73%)
- % who envision continued employment as a dental assistant three years from now: 71% (71%)
Selected comments from Southwest U.S.:
Arizona:
- My comment is more toward benefits. With my experience of 13 years, it is very rare that you find a dentist who offers health benefits, 401k, or retirement. This is why I would not recommend dental assisting as a lifetime career choice. I feel the job itself is rewarding and has some advantages, but not 100% happy.
- Need more regulations in the state of Arizona. Without this, our salaries will continue to stay low. Coming from Ohio, I am shocked at the lack of board support in my new state.
- Dental assistants earn a low salary right out of school. Later with more experience and certifications, they usually top out at $22 per hour. Then they go into management or other related fields.
Colorado:
- Salaries need to be restructured. But because of the all of the clinics popping up, the private practice sector is not faring very well
- I feel that as a profession we need to make some serious changes in the way future dental assistants are trained and/or educated. it appears that not enough emphasis is placed in the importance of infection control and radiation safety. Continuing education whether certified/registered or even OJT should always be a priority. The patients we see are much more educated than previous patients; they ask questions. They want to know the reasons behind certain procedures and protocols. We should be just as educated or more.
Nevada:
- It is a shame that this position can hinge solely on the whim of the practitioner.
- I would like to think that if more states would require certification or expanded functions training, patients would be safer, salaries would be reflective, and the position be taken more seriously by the community. As hard as a DA works, it is unfortunate that the salary cannot support a household. I am hopeful that legislators are becoming more aware of the potential of that position and the need for requiring formal education.
- I know there is a push to register everyone. However, I think this likely to suppress jobs more than anything. It could also require we have malpractice insurance.
New Mexico:
- With expanded functions on the rise and the demand for knowledge for dental assistants, I feel the salary must rise
- Expansion of duties is inevitable. But there must be proper accredited education behind issuing of certification and licensure for these functions!
Utah:
- You are a dental assistant because you love the job, not because you love the money.
- Dental assisting is looked at as a "profession" more and more all the time.
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