How to Become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,720. Employment concentration in Hawaii is about 1.25 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do dental assistants need a license in Hawaii?

Yes. Hawaii requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

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

Hawaii currently employs approximately 1,960 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

Hawaii dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $44,720 ($21.50/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,960 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.0% below the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $44,720 ($21.50/hr)
25th percentile: $37,580 per year
75th percentile: $48,120 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $50,340 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $31,540 per year
Workers employed in Hawaii: 1,960
Versus national median: -7.0% below the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.25 - this occupation is more concentrated in Hawaii than the national average

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

Hawaii employs about 1,960 dental assistants earning a median $44,720 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Hawaii

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	Kapiolani Community College	64.3	$3,284 - $11,992	$51,544	21%	Yes*	31 mi
2	University of Hawaii Maui College	49.5	$3,284 - $14,937	$51,461	28%	Yes*	59 mi
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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.

Hawaii employs approximately 1,960 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,720 ¹. The state’s concentration of dental assistant jobs is 1.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Hawaii, 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: Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Hawaii): $44,720 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii

How to become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii? 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners.

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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii credentials this role through Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Hawaii is $44,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,540 and experienced professionals can earn $50,340 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Hawaii

Meet basic requirements. Most Hawaii dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners.
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 Hawaii. 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners.
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 Hawaii

Dental assistants in Hawaii typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners requires. See Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners 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 Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	1,450	$42,750	$42,430	$31,540	$49,510
Kahului-Wailuku	220	$46,320	$46,620	$35,720	$55,530

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 Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 1,960 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 Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do dental assistants earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Hawaii is $44,720, which is $2,580 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Hawaii

Best Trade Schools in Hawaii (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational Licensing Division - Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)