Dental Assistant salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Dental Assistants in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $56,150 a year ($26.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,520 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 15% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $48,820. There are 2.5 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,480, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,350 | $17.47 |
| 25th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Median | $56,150 | $26.99 |
| 75th percentile | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,520 | $27.66 |
| Average (mean) | $50,480 | $24.27 |
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 | $4,679.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,339.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,159.62 |
| Weekly | $1,079.81 |
| Hourly | $26.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $53,370 | 490 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $50,490 | 1,470 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $50,110 | 6,030 |
| Flint, MI | $48,360 | 430 |
| Midland, MI | $48,360 | 130 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,770 | 360 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $46,920 | 280 |
| Traverse City, MI | $46,910 | 290 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $46,570 | 170 |
| Monroe, MI | $46,320 | 70 |
| Niles, MI | $46,170 | 130 |
| Saginaw, MI | $46,050 | 170 |
| Jackson, MI | $45,540 | 150 |
| Bay City, MI | $45,070 | 90 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $44,860 | 100 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Massage Therapist | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,520 | $13.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $56,150 a year, or $26.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $57,520 a year. The top 25% earn $57,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,350 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,510 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 550 dental assistants are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.