If you're considering a career move, this is the year to do it. Whether you're a new graduate or a seasoned pro, knowing where the highest-paying and most opportunity-rich markets are can help you make the most of your skills. In this post, we’ll break down the top cities and states for dental assistant jobs in 2025, spotlighting the best places to work, live, and thrive in your career.
Why Demand Is So High in 2025
Several factors are fueling the surge in demand for dental assistants:
- Aging U.S. Population: Older adults need more dental care, including cleanings, restorations, and periodontal maintenance. This drives up the need for support staff.
- Expansion of Dental Practices: Group dental practices and corporate dental chains continue to expand, requiring more staff to serve patients efficiently.
- Scope of Practice Growth: Many states are updating dental assistant regulations to allow for expanded duties, making trained DAs more valuable than ever.
- Shortage of Trained Professionals: A wave of retirements and burnout from the pandemic era left staffing gaps that practices are still trying to fill.
These factors have created lucrative job markets across the country, and wages are climbing in response.
Top States With the Highest Demand and Pay
Based on 2025 data from industry job boards, salary aggregators, and reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the top states where dental assistants are both highly paid and in high demand:
1. California
- Average Hourly Wage: $26.75+
- Top Cities: San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles
- Why It’s Hot: California is always a front-runner in healthcare employment. Tech-savvy cities like San Francisco have high costs of living, but also offer top pay and great benefits packages for dental assistants. State laws allow expanded functions in many practices.
2. Alaska
- Average Hourly Wage: $27.50+
- Top Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks
- Why It’s Hot: While remote, Alaska offers some of the highest wages for dental assistants due to a limited labor pool and the need for accessible care in underserved communities. Bonuses and relocation packages are common.
3. Washington
- Average Hourly Wage: $25.80+
- Top Cities: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane
- Why It’s Hot: Washington has a strong demand for dental professionals and offers expanded scope of practice. Employers offer competitive wages to stay ahead of staffing shortages.
4. Massachusetts
- Average Hourly Wage: $25.50+
- Top Cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield
- Why It’s Hot: With world-class hospitals and dental schools nearby, Massachusetts offers great career-building opportunities and advancement. Many practices offer tuition assistance for DAs pursuing expanded functions.
5. Oregon
- Average Hourly Wage: $25.20+
- Top Cities: Portland, Eugene
- Why It’s Hot: Progressive regulations and competitive wages make Oregon a desirable place to work, especially in urban centers.
Top Cities Where Dental Assistants Are Thriving
Looking to relocate to a city that appreciates your skills? Here are the top relocation-worthy cities offering high pay, benefits, and work-life balance:
San Francisco, CA
- Hourly Wage: $29+
- Bonus: Many practices offer housing stipends or commuter benefits
- Why Move?: High-end cosmetic and specialty practices mean opportunities for experienced DAs to earn more, especially those with sedation, surgical, or bilingual experience.
Anchorage, AK
- Hourly Wage: $27.50+
- Bonus: Up to $5,000 in sign-on and relocation bonuses
- Why Move?: Strong job security and community-focused care in a unique setting.
Boston, MA
- Hourly Wage: $26+
- Bonus: CE benefits, state-of-the-art offices, and proximity to dental schools
- Why Move?: A strong professional community and plenty of room for career growth in specialties and education.
Seattle, WA
- Hourly Wage: $26.75+
- Bonus: Many employers provide generous PTO and mental health support
- Why Move?: One of the top tech-adjacent cities offering stability, patient diversity, and innovative work environments.
Denver, CO
- Hourly Wage: $25.00+
- Bonus: Balanced cost of living and beautiful lifestyle perks
- Why Move?: High demand for DAs with expanded functions and ortho or surgical experience.
What About Cost of Living?
High pay doesn’t always mean more money in your pocket. If you're chasing wages, remember to weigh them against cost of living. That’s why mid-sized cities are gaining attention in 2025 for offering the perfect balance:
- Boise, ID: Lower cost of living, growing dental market
- Tulsa, OK: Good pay and strong demand, with low housing costs
- Fayetteville, AR: A hidden gem for dental pros looking for stable income and lifestyle
- Greenville, SC: Southern charm and a rising need for dental care professionals
Skills That Boost Your Earning Potential
In competitive markets, having the right skills and certifications can bump your pay and get you hired faster:
- Coronal Polishing and Sealant Certifications
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring
- Expanded Functions (EFDA) or RDAEF licensure
- Fluency in Spanish or another language
- Experience with digital charting and CAD/CAM systems
- OSHA & HIPAA Compliance Training
Many of the highest-paying practices are looking for well-rounded, tech-savvy, and patient-focused assistants. Investing in your education pays off—sometimes literally.
Final Thoughts
The demand for dental assistants in 2025 shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you want a bustling city life with high wages or a quieter town with room to grow, this year offers opportunities for every type of dental assistant.
If you're looking for a change—whether it's for better pay, better weather, or better work-life balance—now is the time to make your move. Update your resume, renew your certifications, and start looking into relocation packages and signing bonuses.
Your dream job might be just one zip code away.
Have questions about relocating or certifications in your state? Join our community at the Dental Assistants Network and connect with DAs across the country!