Dental Assistant salary in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
Dental Assistants in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn a median of $45,020 a year ($21.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,210 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $44,090. There are 3.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,440, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 25th percentile | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| Median | $45,020 | $21.65 |
| 75th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Average (mean) | $44,440 | $21.37 |
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 | $3,751.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,875.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,731.54 |
| Weekly | $865.77 |
| Hourly | $21.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,020 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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $44,940 | 620 |
| 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 Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Massage Therapist | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,260 | $18.40 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,050 | $16.37 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $24,590 | $11.82 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, 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 Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area is $45,020 a year, or $21.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn at least $55,210 a year. The top 25% earn $48,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,770 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $37,360 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
About 370 dental assistants are employed in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.