Dental Assistant salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Dental Assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $48,410 a year ($23.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,860 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $48,620. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 25th percentile | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Median | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| 75th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Average (mean) | $51,300 | $24.67 |
Half of dental assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,034.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,017.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,861.92 |
| Weekly | $930.96 |
| Hourly | $23.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,570 | 6,510 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $48,030 | 170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,540 | 8,440 |
| Salisbury, MD | $46,850 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $46,690 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Phlebotomist | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Massage Therapist | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,230 | $21.27 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,640 | $18.10 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Orderly | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $79,250 | $38.10 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,180 | $16.91 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $82,620 | $39.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $48,410 a year, or $23.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $59,860 a year. The top 25% earn $57,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,440 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,250 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 2,930 dental assistants are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.