Dental Assistant salary in Lake Charles, LA
Dental Assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $40,200 a year ($19.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,190 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 9% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $44,090. There are 2.2 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,400 | $14.14 |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Median | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| 75th percentile | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Average (mean) | $40,560 | $19.50 |
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 | $3,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,675 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,546.15 |
| Weekly | $773.08 |
| Hourly | $19.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,200 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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $44,940 | 620 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,800 | 950 |
| Alexandria, LA | $43,270 | 120 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| Nursing Assistant | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $77,820 | $37.42 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $40,200 a year, or $19.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $49,190 a year. The top 25% earn $48,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,400 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $35,020 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 220 dental assistants are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.