Are you looking for a job which offers security and a competitive salary? Then, you should consider being a dental assistant. Dental assistants carry different responsibilities in dental health clinics. They assist physicians during dental surgeries and operations. They are also responsible in giving patients teachings on how to maintain good dental hygiene. This occupation is not as stressful as other jobs related to the medical field, yet a dental assistant salary can be quite decent.

If you are considering going into this career path or if you simply want to review if you are getting the right pay, then this article will give you some information which you might need. Of course, like all other jobs, a dental assistant salary may vary according to different reasons.

There are several factors which will take effect on your salary. The kind of training that you have, for example, will have influence your salary. It used to be that dental assistants get their training on the job. But these days, there are colleges which offer formal training to dental assistants. The training will take about a year. Naturally, the employer will opt to hire assistants who were formally trained. This follows that formally trained assistants also get higher compensation. Just make sure that the college where you get a formal training is accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation. It will also augment your salary if you’re able to pass an examination given by Dental Assisting Board—because then you will become a Certified Dental Assistant.

Your salary might also be based on your work experience—this implies how long you have been in this career. A dental assistant on an entry level can get an annual salary of $19,305 to $29,908. If you have been working as a dental assistant for 5 to 9 years, your salary can range from $23,500 to $32,590. And if you have 20 or more years of experience then, your salary will range from $24, 786 to $39,955.

Another factor affecting a dental assistant salary is geography. The cost of living can increase or lower your salary. People from urban areas often get higher salary than those who work in urban areas. Dental assistants working in New York City can get paid as high as $50,000 a year.

A dental assistant salary will also be determined by work setting. Dental assistants who work for specialty hospitals will, as expected, get higher salary than those working in dental offices. Dental assistant working in private firms can earn up to $33, 089 a year. On the other hand, dental assistants who work in hospitals can get a yearly compensation of up to $41,116.

Bonuses and benefits will also be added to your salary. Dental assistants who have worked for less than a year can get a median bonus of $253.94 a year. Meanwhile, those who have worked for more than 20 years can receive a median bonus of $506 annually. Aside from the cash incentives, most dental assistant also receive paid vacation, paid holidays, free dental care , paid sick leave, reimbursement for continuing education, pension plan, health insurance and/or uniform allowance.

On the average, a dental assistant salary ranges from $30,000 to $35,000. If you sum it all up, this is a pretty attractive job. You can get a competitive pay without the hassle of getting a degree. And with the rising demand for this occupation, you will probably be able to find a position in no time.