As a dental assistant, your salary can be influenced by a variety of factors, including your experience level and certifications. In this article, we’ll explore how experience and certification can affect your dental assistant salary.
Experience
Experience is an important factor that can influence your dental assistant salary. Generally, dental assistants with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those who are just starting out. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for dental assistants with less than one year of experience was $33,960 as of May 2020. In contrast, those with 10 or more years of experience earned a median annual salary of $47,090.
Experience can also impact your ability to negotiate a higher salary. As you gain more experience and become a more valuable employee, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary with your employer.
Certification
Certification is another factor that can affect your dental assistant salary. Dental assistants who are certified through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) tend to earn higher salaries than those who are not certified. In fact, according to the DANB, certified dental assistants earn an average of $2 more per hour than their non-certified counterparts.
There are several certification options available through the DANB, including the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA), and Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA) credentials. Each of these certifications demonstrates a dental assistant’s knowledge and skills in a specific area of dental assisting, making them a more valuable employee and potentially increasing their earning potential.
In addition to the DANB certifications, some states also require dental assistants to hold certain certifications or licenses. For example, some states require dental assistants to hold a radiology certification, which can increase their earning potential.
Conclusion
Experience and certification are two important factors that can influence your dental assistant salary. While experience tends to be a natural progression over time, certification is something that can be pursued intentionally to increase your value as a dental assistant. Whether you choose to pursue a DANB certification or a state-specific certification, becoming certified demonstrates your commitment to the field and can increase your earning potential. Ultimately, the more experience and certifications you have, the higher your potential dental assistant salary may be.