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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Dental Assistants to increase by 7.4% between 2024 and 2034, from 388,600 to 417,400 jobs. Its estimate of 53,000 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($48,070), education (Postsecondary nondegree award), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
388,600
Projected employment (2034)
417,400
Projected change (2024–2034)
7%
Annual openings (projected average)
53,000
Pay & Preparation
$48,070
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
None
Essential Skills
Active Listening (3.88/5) • Speaking (3.38/5) • Reading Comprehension (3.25/5) • Monitoring (3.12/5) • Active Learning (3.12/5) • Instructing (3.12/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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