Rung 1 of 3
Dental Assistant
Dental Assistant · $48,070
Dental Assistants typically earn $48,070 a year, and about 387,790 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
Dental Hygienist Career Path: Dentist and What the Step Pays
Typical pay at each step, from federal wage data (May 2025): Dental Assistant $48,070, Dental Hygienist $98,100, Dentist $170,950.
Pay at each rung
BLS OES May 2025+$72,850
+$50,030
Typical annual pay · bar length is pay · click a rung
Rung 2 of 3 · this guide+$50,030 a year
Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist · $98,100
Dental Hygienists typically earn $98,100 a year, and about 222,740 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
Rung 3 of 3+$72,850 a year
Dentist
Dentist · $170,950
Dentists typically earn $170,950 a year, and about 124,390 are employed nationally. Employment is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
What each step pays
Dental Assistant → Dental Hygienist+$50,030$48,070 to $98,100 a year
Dental Hygienist → Dentist+$72,850$98,100 to $170,950 a year
BLS OES May 2025 · typical annual pay