How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make in Minnesota in 2026?

A typical Dental Assistant in Minnesota earns about $31.38 per hour ($65,270 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That annual compensation works out to roughly $5,439 per month, based on year-round full-time schedules. On a weekly basis, calculated directly from the annual figure, typical earnings equal about $1,255. These earnings provide a steady baseline for dental staff across the state.

Minnesota Dental Assistants earn 36 percent above the national typical wage of $48,070 per year, or $23.11 per hour. This places the state at rank 1 among all 50 states for dental assisting wages. The statewide dental assisting workforce includes approximately 5,980 individuals, compared to 387,790 nationwide. This sizable workforce supports clinical practices ranging from solo private offices to large regional healthcare systems.

Entry-level positions in Minnesota typically offer around $22.58 per hour, which equals $46,960 annually. Newer workers establishing basic chairside routines often start within this range. Within a few years, compensation steadily moves toward $28.82 per hour or $59,940 annually as clinical competency grows. Staff members quickly take on more independent procedural duties during routine patient care.

Experienced Dental Assistants often earn upwards of $35.78 hourly, or $74,410 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $36.59 per hour, corresponding to $76,110 per year. Across the profession, the entry-to-top spread is $29,150, reflecting how compensation broadens over time. Advanced specialty settings, expanded clinical duties, years on the job, and metropolitan locations typically account for these higher brackets.

In 2015, typical annual pay for Dental Assistants in Minnesota stood at $44,030. By 2025, that figure reached $65,270, marking a dollar gain of $21,240. That change represents a 48 percent rise over the ten-year period. Annual tracking shows consistent upward momentum across clinical facilities throughout the state.

By comparison, the national decade rise was 34 percent across the same timeframe. Minnesota has maintained stronger wage growth than the country overall. For someone entering the field today, pay has moved up substantially in recent years, though past trends do not guarantee future salary shifts. Dental clinics continue to adjust compensation to retain dependable chairside support.

Earnings vary across regions, with city figures covering each city's full metro area. Minneapolis leads the state with a typical annual wage of $72,370, or $34.79 hourly. This rate sits 11 percent above the statewide figure. Rochester follows with typical earnings of $63,450 per year, while Mankato and St. Cloud offer around $61,010 and $61,000 respectively.

The lowest-paying area listed is Onalaska, where typical compensation is $47,180 annually, or $22.68 hourly. This creates a city spread of $25,190 between the highest and lowest regional markets. Minneapolis employs the largest Dental Assistant workforce by far, with 3,910 filled positions. Higher compensation in larger urban centers often balances higher housing and transportation expenses.

Dental Assistants in Minnesota earn more than those in all surrounding states. North Dakota comes closest with a typical wage of $57,770, which is 11 percent lower than Minnesota. Iowa trails at $48,430, while South Dakota and Wisconsin sit roughly 27 percent lower at $47,900 and $47,520 respectively. Licensure or credentialing in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one through established reciprocity processes.

Dental Assistants in Minnesota earn a typical annual salary of $65,270, following a decade gain of 48 percent. Wage levels across the state remain well above national standards, led by strong urban markets. Prospective and practicing assistants can consult the state licensing board for credentialing requirements. Local city pages provide further detail on community pay differences.