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

A typical Dental Assistant in Vermont earns about $25.37 per hour ($52,760 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). When calculated from the annual figure, this works out to roughly $4,397 per month or about $1,015 per week. These numbers reflect steady full-time schedules across clinical practices in the state.

Statewide compensation runs 10% higher than the national typical wage of $48,070 per year, or $23.11 per hour. That premium places Vermont 11th among all 50 states for dental assisting pay. Across the state, an estimated 580 Dental Assistants work in private practices, community clinics, and dental specialty centers.

Entry-level positions in Vermont typically offer around $21.76 per hour, which works out to $45,260 per year for early-career staff. Those in the second tier of starting pay earn approximately $22.76 per hour, or $47,350 annually. Pay generally moves toward the state typical figure within a few years as clinical proficiencies develop.

Experienced Dental Assistants often earn upwards of $29.05 per hour, or $60,420 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $31.93 per hour, reaching $66,410 each year. That creates an entry-to-top spread of $21,150 across the field, with compensation driven primarily by clinical setting, years on the job, and specialized chairside credentials.

A decade ago in 2015, the typical annual wage for a Dental Assistant in Vermont stood at $38,740. By 2025, that figure rose to $52,760, marking a total dollar gain of $14,020. This progress reflects a steady upward movement across community health centers and dental clinics over the ten-year period.

That increase represents a 36% decade rise, slightly outpacing the national decade growth rate of 34%. For someone entering the profession today, wages have moved up steadily over the past decade. While market shifts cannot be guaranteed, historical records indicate persistent upward wage momentum across Vermont.

Pay is fairly uniform across the state because major clinical employment is anchored in the northern region. City wage figures cover each city's full metropolitan area. The highest compensation occurs in Burlington, where the typical wage reaches $57,230 per year, or $27.52 per hour, sitting 8% above the overall state figure.

South Burlington reflects an identical typical wage of $57,230 annually, creating a city spread of $0 between the tracked reporting areas. Burlington also supports the largest Dental Assistant workforce in the state, employing 270 professionals. Higher compensation in this urban core corresponds with elevated local housing and living costs compared to outlying rural districts.

Vermont dental assistant earnings sit in the middle of northern New England compensation rates. To the east, New Hampshire offers a typical annual wage of $59,530, running 13% higher than Vermont. Massachusetts reports $57,980, which sits 10% above Vermont. Across the western border, New York reports $48,110 per year, trailing Vermont by 9%. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

A typical Dental Assistant in Vermont currently earns $52,760 per year, reflecting a strong 36% decade rise across the state. Candidates planning a career should review the state licensing or registry page for requirements, and consult city pages for local community figures to understand regional employment options.