Lead Dental Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Dental Assistant make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Lead Dental Assistant in the United States is $44,467 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Lead Dental Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,735
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,897 to $48,795
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,736
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,897 10% $35,736 90% $52,735 75% $48,795 $44,467 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Dental Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $48,795 $4,066 $938 $23
Average $44,467 $3,706 $855 $21
25th Percentile $39,897 $3,325 $767 $19
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Dental Assistant Salaries

A Lead Dental Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Dental Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Dental Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,100
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,745
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,689
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $46,571
  • Expert (over 8 years): $46,910
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Dental Assistant$44,100
Intermediate Level Lead Dental Assistant$44,745
Senior Level Lead Dental Assistant$45,689
Specialist Level Lead Dental Assistant$46,571
Expert Level Lead Dental Assistant$46,910
$44,100 0 yr
$44,745 < 2 yrs
$45,689 2-4 yrs
$46,571 5-8 yrs
$46,910 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lead Dental Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $56,086
  • San Francisco: $55,535
  • Oakland: $54,303

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Dental Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Written Communication (Mentioned in 4.91% Job Postings): Communicating information through written media to educate, inform and influence the target audience.
  • Electrical Testing (Mentioned in 3.99% Job Postings): Evaluating the performance of electrical components to optimize electrical systems.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 3.22% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Written Communication 4.91%
Electrical Testing 3.99%
Supply Chain 3.22%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Dental Assistant's salary.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 0%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Supply Chain
$45,801
3%
Attention to Detail
$45,356
2%
Troubleshooting
$44,467
0%
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Lead Dental Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Dental Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for Lead Dental Assistant

Salaries for a Lead Dental Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $42,446 in 2023 to around $42,483 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Dental Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lead Dental Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,446
2024
$42,598
2025
$42,483
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,446
2024 $42,598
2025 $42,483
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Lead Dental Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Lead Dental Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Lead Dental Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lead Dental Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Dental Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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