How to Become A Dental Assistant in Florida
Florida employs approximately 26,620 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,620 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 Florida, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Florida
How do I become a dental assistant in Florida? Florida requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Florida? Yes. Florida has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Florida? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Florida is $47,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,800 and experienced professionals can earn $58,880 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance
- Median wage (Florida): $47,620 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Florida
The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees dental assistant licensing in Florida 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | Florida Statutes: Chapter 456; Chapter 466; Section 466.007; Section 466.023; Section 466.0235; Section 466.024. Florida Administrative Code: 64B5; 64B5-2; 64B5-16. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Felony convictions prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 9,180 | $47,860 | $48,630 | $37,720 | $58,880 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 3,560 | $46,890 | $47,900 | $37,620 | $57,920 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 3,260 | $46,480 | $47,950 | $38,520 | $58,650 |
| Jacksonville | 1,850 | $50,270 | $49,550 | $36,470 | $58,930 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 1,170 | $48,190 | $51,870 | $40,140 | $62,570 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 900 | $46,370 | $48,050 | $39,180 | $60,610 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 800 | $47,400 | $49,880 | $38,780 | $58,800 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 670 | $45,530 | $44,240 | $35,320 | $54,580 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 580 | $46,670 | $49,060 | $39,220 | $58,100 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 550 | $57,260 | $56,640 | $46,730 | $71,900 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 550 | $46,180 | $46,910 | $37,720 | $57,480 |
| Port St. Lucie | 530 | $46,420 | $46,760 | $37,840 | $55,920 |
| Gainesville | 440 | $46,340 | $47,310 | $37,470 | $56,980 |
| Ocala | 370 | $44,900 | $45,540 | $37,400 | $55,360 |
| Tallahassee | 340 | $45,330 | $44,360 | $35,770 | $56,450 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 300 | $47,180 | $49,570 | $38,710 | $58,430 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 220 | $46,430 | $47,370 | $37,720 | $56,540 |
| Punta Gorda | 200 | $51,020 | $49,110 | $38,520 | $57,180 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 180 | $46,420 | $46,620 | $37,640 | $55,160 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 150 | $46,120 | $47,030 | $37,680 | $56,010 |
| Homosassa Springs | 100 | $45,140 | $45,730 | $37,640 | $55,990 |
| Sebring | 90 | $45,200 | $45,670 | $36,160 | $57,940 |
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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Florida
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Florida according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 9,180 | $47,860 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 3,560 | $46,890 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 3,260 | $46,480 |
| Jacksonville | 1,850 | $50,270 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 1,170 | $48,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 26,620 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 Florida with an out-of-state license? Contact the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Florida.
How much do dental assistants earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Florida is $47,620, which is $320 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance - Licensing Information: https://www.doh.state.fl.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |