Dental Assistant salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Dental Assistants in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $49,540 a year ($23.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,370 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 15% lower than the Washington statewide median of $58,090. There are 4.0 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Median | $49,540 | $23.82 |
| 75th percentile | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Average (mean) | $54,040 | $25.98 |
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 | $4,128.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,064.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,905.38 |
| Weekly | $952.69 |
| Hourly | $23.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $62,040 | 7,100 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,890 | 4,120 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $50,980 | 1,000 |
| Bellingham, WA | $49,830 | 410 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $49,800 | 470 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $49,790 | 110 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $49,530 | 230 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $48,890 | 480 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $48,300 | 210 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $47,500 | 190 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $47,360 | 100 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,670 | 480 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $47,810 | $22.98 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,980 | $35.09 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $49,540 a year, or $23.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $61,370 a year. The top 25% earn $58,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,920 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,760 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 520 dental assistants are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.