Dental Assistant salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Dental Assistants in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median of $49,900 a year ($23.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,880 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 12% lower than the Connecticut statewide median of $56,850. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| 25th percentile | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Median | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| 75th percentile | $59,910 | $28.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Average (mean) | $52,720 | $25.35 |
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 | $4,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,079.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,919.23 |
| Weekly | $959.62 |
| Hourly | $23.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $57,770 | 970 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $56,850 | 240 |
| New Haven, CT | $56,650 | 530 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $56,160 | 1,590 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,310 | $30.92 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| Orderly | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $57,360 | $27.58 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
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 Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $49,900 a year, or $23.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn at least $60,880 a year. The top 25% earn $59,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,860 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $47,860 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
About 370 dental assistants are employed in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.