How to Become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut 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 Connecticut?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Connecticut earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,850.

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

Connecticut currently employs approximately 3,840 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

Connecticut employs about 3,840 dental assistants earning a median $56,850 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. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Key Facts

Median wage (Connecticut): $56,850/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Connecticut: 3,840 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.91x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Connecticut

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	Westchester School for Medical & Dental Assistants	73.3	Contact school for pricing	$36,310	100%	—	69 mi
2	Springfield Technical Community College	58.4	Contact school for pricing	$51,917	Not reported	Yes*	36 mi
3	Goodwin University	57.9	Contact school for pricing	$72,845	58%	Yes*	12 mi
4	Community College of Rhode Island	51.2	$5,550 - $14,834	$51,971	26%	Yes*	68 mi
5	Access Careers-Islandia	49.7	Contact school for pricing	$43,184	Not reported	—	60 mi
6	Connecticut State Community College	47.6	Contact school for pricing	$50,130	21%	Yes*	12 mi
7	Porter & Chester Institute	47.5	Contact school for pricing	$46,863	47%	Yes*	36 mi
8	American Institute-West Hartford	33.2	Contact school for pricing	$36,918	56%	—	8 mi
9	Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden	32.6	Contact school for pricing	$46,281	37%	—	20 mi

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.

Connecticut employs approximately 3,840 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,850 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 Connecticut, 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
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Connecticut): $56,850 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut

How to become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut? 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. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

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 employer.

Do I need a license in Connecticut? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Connecticut is $56,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,630 and experienced professionals can earn $60,900 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Connecticut

Meet basic requirements. Most Connecticut dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with the employer.
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 Connecticut. 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 the employer.
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 Connecticut

Dental assistants in Connecticut typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit the employer requires.

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 the employer when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford	1,590	$56,160	$53,810	$37,920	$61,650
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	970	$57,770	$53,940	$38,980	$60,390
New Haven	530	$56,650	$54,820	$40,270	$60,880
Waterbury-Shelton	370	$49,900	$52,720	$38,860	$60,880
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	240	$56,850	$54,400	$47,390	$60,770

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 Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 3,840 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 Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do dental assistants earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Connecticut is $56,850, which is $9,550 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Connecticut

Best Trade Schools in Connecticut (2026)

Top local programs

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)