Dental Assistant salary in West Virginia
Dental Assistants in West Virginia earn a median of $37,960 a year ($18.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,630 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $48,070. West Virginia ranks 49th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 1.8 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $41,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| 25th percentile | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Median | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 75th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,630 | $25.30 |
| Average (mean) | $41,280 | $19.85 |
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 | $3,163.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,581.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,460 |
| Weekly | $730 |
| Hourly | $18.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $47,540 | 8,440 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $46,690 | 260 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $46,310 | 180 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $44,610 | 110 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $43,790 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,660 | 240 |
| Morgantown, WV | $38,540 | 100 |
| Charleston, WV | $38,090 | 210 |
| Beckley, WV | $37,410 | 110 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $36,820 | 70 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $32,350 | $15.55 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Massage Therapist | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $60,370 | $29.02 |
| Orderly | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $37,910 | $18.22 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,840 | $16.75 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for dental assistants in West Virginia is $37,960 a year, or $18.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of dental assistants in West Virginia earn at least $52,630 a year. The top 25% earn $45,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,760 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,360 or less.
How many dental assistants work in West Virginia?
About 1,290 dental assistants are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.