Do dental assistants need a license in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Alabama (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in Alabama?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Alabama through a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires.

Q: How much do dental assistants earn in Alabama?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $39,080. Employment concentration in Alabama is roughly 0.71 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Alabama?

Alabama currently employs approximately 3,740 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $39,080 ($18.79/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,740 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -18.7% below the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $39,080 ($18.79/hr)
25th percentile: $36,190 per year
75th percentile: $47,100 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $51,400 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,840 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 3,740
Versus national median: -18.7% below the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.71 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alabama employs about 3,740 dental assistants earning a median $39,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	East Mississippi Community College	57.7	Contact school for pricing	$42,022	44%	Yes*	98 mi
2	George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville	52.6	$5,220 - $19,008	$50,276	50%	Yes*	88 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	West Georgia Technical College	51.0	Contact school for pricing	$43,835	33%	Yes*	111 mi
4	John C Calhoun State Community College	50.8	Contact school for pricing	$53,980	41%	Yes*	128 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Meridian Community College	50.6	Contact school for pricing	$50,810	Not reported	Yes*	117 mi
6	Gadsden State Community College	47.7	$4,272 - $10,189	$46,678	35%	Yes*	94 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Columbus Technical College	47.2	Contact school for pricing	$43,818	24%	Yes*	110 mi
8	H Councill Trenholm State Community College	45.2	Contact school for pricing	$34,122	16%	Yes*	41 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Lawson State Community College	38.3	Contact school for pricing	$44,506	26%	Yes*	45 mi
10	Fortis Institute-Birmingham	27.8	Contact school for pricing	$39,556	35%	—	44 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Alabama employs approximately 3,740 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,080 ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
Licensing authority: Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Alabama): $39,080 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Alabama

How to become a Dental Assistant in Alabama? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.

Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama credentials this role through Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Alabama is $39,080 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,840 and experienced professionals can earn $51,400 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Alabama

Meet basic requirements. Most Alabama dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.
Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in Alabama. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama.
Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Alabama

Dental assistants in Alabama typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama requires. See Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.
Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.
Apply to Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Birmingham	1,120	$42,050	$44,310	$31,600	$60,880
Huntsville	390	$43,930	$43,980	$36,140	$53,400
Mobile	310	$38,800	$41,090	$31,160	$48,680
Montgomery	280	$38,260	$41,150	$30,610	$48,050
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	260	$38,220	$40,590	$31,270	$47,710
Columbus	260	$42,050	$42,710	$29,900	$55,730
Tuscaloosa	200	$38,050	$39,030	$29,660	$47,140
Dothan	140	$36,820	$38,870	$31,330	$45,650
Auburn-Opelika	130	$38,550	$41,140	$31,540	$48,130
Florence-Muscle Shoals	120	$37,170	$39,460	$31,160	$47,040
Decatur	90	$40,440	$42,760	$36,120	$48,810
Anniston-Oxford	80	$37,060	$38,000	$28,750	$47,390
Gadsden	70	$35,690	$37,460	$29,380	$44,890

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 3,740 dental assistants ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a dental assistant in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alabama.

How much do dental assistants earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Alabama is $39,080, which is $8,220 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Alabama

Best Trade Schools in Alabama (2026)

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama - Licensing Information: https://www.dentalboard.org ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)