Dental Assistant salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Dental Assistants in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $48,670 a year ($23.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,840 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $48,670. There are 2.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| 25th percentile | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Median | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| 75th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Average (mean) | $51,060 | $24.55 |
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 | $4,055.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,027.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,871.92 |
| Weekly | $935.96 |
| Hourly | $23.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $52,830 | 160 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,590 | 2,440 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,100 | 1,500 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,970 | 2,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,950 | 10,490 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $48,920 | 80 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $48,730 | 190 |
| Kokomo, IN | $48,360 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,170 | 130 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,000 | 300 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Columbus, IN | $47,260 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $46,450 | 110 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,500 | 140 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Massage Therapist | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,930 | $14.39 |
| Orderly | $35,830 | $17.22 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $48,670 a year, or $23.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $60,840 a year. The top 25% earn $59,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,970 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,150 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 630 dental assistants are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.