How to Become a Dental Assistant in Florida (2026)
Florida employs about 26,620 dental assistants earning a median $47,620 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 (Florida): $47,620/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Florida: 26,620 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.07x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Florida
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Florida State College | 73.8 | $3,165 - $11,859 | $48,619 | 49% | Yes* | 19 mi |
| 2 | Traviss Technical College | 73.3 | Contact school for pricing | $38,755 | 86% | — | 26 mi |
| 3 | Eastern Florida State College | 63.6 | $2,496 - $11,966 | $49,053 | 52% | Yes* | 59 mi |
| 4 | Hillsborough Community College | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $49,784 | 34% | Yes* | 54 mi |
| 5 | Erwin Technical College | 60.6 | Contact school for pricing | $41,518 | 80% | — | 53 mi |
| 6 | Orange Technical College | 49.6 | Contact school for pricing | $34,945 | Not reported | — | 49 mi |
| 7 | Valencia College | 46.8 | $2,664 - $18,529 | $46,937 | 46% | — | 46 mi |
| 8 | Concorde Career Institute-Orlando | 44.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,001 | 66% | — | 51 mi |
| 9 | Osceola Technical College | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $37,201 | 50% | — | 36 mi |
| 10 | Concorde Career Institute-Tampa | 41.8 | Contact school for pricing | $37,344 | 61% | — | 58 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.
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 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 (Florida): $47,620 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Florida
How to become a Dental Assistant in Florida? 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 Florida? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Florida
- Meet basic requirements. Most Florida 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 Florida. 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 Florida
Dental assistants in Florida 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 Florida
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
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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) |