Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- O*NET-SOC code
31-9091.00 - Preparation Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$48,070
Employment, U.S.387,790
Median hourly wage$23.11
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,130 | $44,340 | $48,070 | $58,090 | $62,250 |
By state (50)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,740 | $39,080 | 0.71 |
| Alaska | 1,140 | $57,710 | 1.40 |
| Arizona | 8,680 | $49,000 | 1.07 |
| Arkansas | 2,950 | $42,830 | 0.91 |
| California | 56,220 | $50,110 | 1.24 |
| Colorado | 8,360 | $48,340 | 1.17 |
| Connecticut | 3,840 | $56,850 | 0.91 |
| Delaware | 990 | $47,600 | 0.82 |
| District of Columbia | 630 | $60,580 | 0.36 |
| Florida | 26,620 | $47,620 | 1.07 |
| Georgia | 10,540 | $46,840 | 0.86 |
| Hawaii | 1,960 | $44,720 | 1.25 |
| Idaho | 2,680 | $45,880 | 1.25 |
| Illinois | 13,740 | $48,610 | 0.90 |
| Indiana | 6,690 | $48,670 | 0.84 |
| Iowa | 3,210 | $48,430 | 0.83 |
| Kentucky | 4,530 | $47,730 | 0.91 |
| Louisiana | 4,540 | $44,090 | 0.94 |
| Maine | 1,550 | $60,070 | 0.97 |
| Maryland | 6,560 | $48,620 | 0.95 |
| Massachusetts | 9,680 | $57,980 | 1.07 |
| Michigan | 11,990 | $48,820 | 1.09 |
| Minnesota | 5,980 | $65,270 | 0.81 |
| Mississippi | 3,080 | $39,160 | 1.06 |
| Missouri | 6,760 | $45,970 | 0.92 |
| Montana | 1,450 | $46,680 | 1.14 |
| Nebraska | 2,520 | $46,660 | 0.99 |
| Nevada | 4,230 | $47,110 | 1.09 |
| New Hampshire | 1,600 | $59,530 | 0.94 |
| New Jersey | 9,990 | $49,390 | 0.93 |
| New Mexico | 2,150 | $44,400 | 0.99 |
| New York | 19,800 | $48,110 | 0.82 |
| North Carolina | 11,450 | $50,380 | 0.93 |
| North Dakota | 860 | $57,770 | 0.80 |
| Ohio | 12,150 | $47,970 | 0.88 |
| Oklahoma | 4,550 | $45,740 | 1.07 |
| Oregon | 5,930 | $59,490 | 1.21 |
| Pennsylvania | 12,080 | $47,930 | 0.80 |
| Rhode Island | 1,050 | $50,150 | 0.84 |
| South Carolina | 5,530 | $47,320 | 0.96 |
| South Dakota | 1,290 | $47,900 | 1.13 |
| Tennessee | 7,420 | $46,720 | 0.91 |
| Texas | 33,230 | $45,430 | 0.95 |
| Utah | 6,640 | $37,760 | 1.54 |
| Vermont | 580 | $52,760 | 0.77 |
| Virginia | 10,760 | $46,670 | 1.05 |
| Washington | 13,050 | $58,090 | 1.47 |
| West Virginia | 1,290 | $37,960 | 0.74 |
| Wisconsin | 7,760 | $47,520 | 1.06 |
| Wyoming | 630 | $44,990 | 0.90 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prosthodontists | 5 | 0.966 |
| 2 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 3 | 0.959 |
| 3 | Medical Assistants | 3 | 0.956 |
| 4 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 3 | 0.956 |
| 5 | Endoscopy Technicians | 1-2 | 0.952 |
| 6 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 1-2 | 0.951 |
| 7 | Pharmacy Technicians | 3 | 0.949 |
| 8 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 3 | 0.949 |
| 9 | Dental Hygienists | 3 | 0.948 |
| 10 | Surgical Technologists | 3 | 0.947 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Dental Assistants, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | Speaking | 0.88 | 0.956 |
| Endoscopy Technicians | Operation and Control | 1.00 | 0.952 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | Mathematics | 1.00 | 0.949 |
| Surgical Technologists | Operation and Control | 0.88 | 0.947 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | Critical Thinking | 0.88 | 0.944 |
| Nursing Assistants | Service Orientation | 0.76 | 0.925 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Dental Assistants, excluding software Dental Assistants already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMR | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| MEDITECH software | 7 of 20 | 4.2x |
| Practice management software PMS | 4 of 20 | 11.5x |
| Electronic medical record EMR software | 4 of 20 | 5.8x |
| Scheduling software | 5 of 20 | 3.3x |
| eClinicalWorks EHR software | 4 of 20 | 3.8x |
| JavaScript | 4 of 20 | 2.2x |
| Database software | 6 of 20 | 1.7x |
| Microsoft Word | 16 of 20 | 0.9x |
| Microsoft Windows | 3 of 20 | 0.6x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.38 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.25 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Science | Essential skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 0.88 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.54 | 5.07 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 4.41 | 4.76 |
| English Language | 3.76 | 3.61 |
| Administration and Management | 3.47 | 3.61 |
| Administrative | 3.45 | 3.67 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.32 | 3.57 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.31 | 2.63 |
| Production and Processing | 3.06 | 2.43 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.93 | 3.11 |
| Psychology | 2.71 | 2.46 |
| Education and Training | 2.58 | 2.45 |
| Biology | 2.38 | 1.69 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.35 | 1.99 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 2.32 | 1.77 |
| Mathematics | 2.16 | 1.41 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.08 | 1.38 |
| Telecommunications | 2.07 | 1.54 |
| Communications and Media | 2.06 | 1.69 |
| Law and Government | 2.02 | 1.02 |
| Chemistry | 1.92 | 1.76 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.83 | 1.40 |
| Mechanical | 1.77 | 1.08 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.73 | 1.02 |
| Foreign Language | 1.72 | 0.89 |
| Transportation | 1.70 | 0.84 |
| Design | 1.67 | 0.80 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.39 | 0.82 |
| Physics | 1.34 | 0.58 |
| Building and Construction | 1.31 | not rated |
| Geography | 1.13 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.10 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.05 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.05 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Near Vision | 4.12 | 4.00 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.50 | 3.38 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Written Expression | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Control Precision | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Manual Dexterity | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Selective Attention | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Time Sharing | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Far Vision | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 2.38 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Originality | 2.62 | 2.50 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Visualization | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.38 | 2.25 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.38 | 2.25 |
| Number Facility | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Depth Perception | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.12 | 2.00 |
| Stamina | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Static Strength | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.12 | 1.75 |
| Memorization | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Response Orientation | 1.88 | 1.75 |
| Reaction Time | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Rate Control | 1.75 | 1.50 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.75 | 1.38 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.50 | 0.38 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.38 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.25 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.12 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Henry Schein Dentrix in demand
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Office software hot
- Email software
- Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
- Open Dental
- Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
- Quicken
- The Systems Workplace TDOCS
- Web browser software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 370 | 2.62 | $47,070 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 1,640 | 2.16 | $36,580 |
| St. George, UT | 460 | 2.02 | $36,350 |
| Yakima, WA | 480 | 2.00 | $46,670 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 470 | 1.99 | $49,800 |
| Arecibo, PR | 170 | 1.91 | $35,100 |
| Yuba City, CA | 240 | 1.88 | $50,030 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | 240 | 1.86 | $46,040 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 190 | 1.84 | $47,500 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 300 | 1.82 | $46,350 |