Dental Assistant salary in Michigan
Dental Assistants in Michigan earn a median of $48,820 a year ($23.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $48,070. Michigan ranks 17th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.7 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| 25th percentile | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Median | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| 75th percentile | $56,940 | $27.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Average (mean) | $49,650 | $23.87 |
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 | $4,068.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,034.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,877.69 |
| Weekly | $938.85 |
| Hourly | $23.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,820 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 cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $56,150 | 550 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Massage Therapist | $70,960 | $34.11 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,280 | $17.93 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,570 | $19.03 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,350 | $14.11 |
| Orderly | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $45,800 | $22.02 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for dental assistants in Michigan is $48,820 a year, or $23.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Michigan?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Michigan earn at least $58,900 a year. The top 25% earn $56,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,110 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $45,390 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Michigan?
About 11,990 dental assistants are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.