Dental Assistant Salary in District of Columbia
Based on 630+ workers in District of Columbia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (DC)
$60,580
$29.13/hr
vs National Average
$49,100
+23.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$48K – $75K
630 employed in District of Columbia
Salary Distribution — Dental Assistant in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,530 |
| 25th percentile | $58,590 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $60,580 |
| 75th percentile | $74,220 |
| 90th percentile | $74,960 |
Top-Paying Industries for Dental Assistant (U.S.)
Which industries pay Dental Assistants the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Dental Assistants in District of Columbia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $71,800 | 50 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $55,270 | 6K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $54,260 | — |
| Manufacturing | $52,290 | 130 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $50,020 | 90 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Dental Assistant in District of Columbia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (District of Columbia) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $60,580 |
| 2026 (projected) | $62,397 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | District of Columbia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $60,580 | $49,100 |
| 2026 (projected) | $62,397 | $50,573 |
Dental Assistant Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $58,590 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $60,580 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $74,220 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $74,960 |
Dental Assistant Salary in Other States
Related Dental Assistant Salaries in District of Columbia
How other high-demand occupations in District of Columbia compare to Dental Assistant ($60,580 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Dental Assistant | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physician in DC | $318,200 | +425.3% | $152.98/hr |
| Podiatrist in DC | $265,740 | +338.7% | $127.76/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in DC | $233,390 | +285.3% | $112.21/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in DC | $223,250 | +268.5% | $107.33/hr |
| Anesthesiologist in DC | $202,570 | +234.4% | $97.39/hr |
| Psychiatrist in DC | $183,080 | +202.2% | $88.02/hr |
| Radiologist in DC | $182,450 | +201.2% | $87.72/hr |
| Medical and Health Services Manager in DC | $155,140 | +156.1% | $74.59/hr |
| Pharmacist in DC | $153,400 | +153.2% | $73.75/hr |
| Dental Hygienist in DC | $137,220 | +126.5% | $65.97/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in DC | $135,880 | +124.3% | $65.33/hr |
| Physician Assistant in DC | $135,140 | +123.1% | $64.97/hr |