Dental Assistant salary in Lafayette, LA
Dental Assistants in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $44,940 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,070 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $44,090. There are 3.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| 25th percentile | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Median | $44,940 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Average (mean) | $45,260 | $21.76 |
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 | $3,745 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.46 |
| Weekly | $864.23 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hammond, LA | $45,950 | 100 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $45,920 | 760 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,020 | 370 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,800 | 950 |
| Alexandria, LA | $43,270 | 120 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $40,200 | 220 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $38,950 | 410 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $37,870 | 210 |
| Monroe, LA | $37,020 | 310 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Phlebotomist | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Massage Therapist | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $21,400 | $10.29 |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,960 | $14.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $22,150 | $10.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Orderly | $28,170 | $13.54 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $44,940 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $79,070 a year. The top 25% earn $46,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,130 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $35,280 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Lafayette, LA?
About 620 dental assistants are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.