How to Become A Dental Assistant in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 6,690 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,670 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 Indiana, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Indiana
How do I become a dental assistant in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Dental Hygiene Intern Permit, Dental Radiographer, Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry 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 Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Indiana is $48,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,880 and experienced professionals can earn $60,590 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Indiana): $48,670 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygiene Intern Permit | IC 25-14-1-5 Dental residency permit for students; fee; practice under permit Sec. 5. |
| Dental Radiographer | 410 IAC 5.2-10-1 Sec. 1. (a) As follows, to be eligible for a limited dental radiography license a person shall have satisfactorily: (1) Completed an educational program from a school whose radiograph… |
| Dental Hygienist | IC 25-13-1-6 Qualifications of applicant Sec. 6. An applicant: (1) must not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the applicant’s ability to practice competently; (2) must be a g… |
| Dental Instructor | IC 25-14-1-27.5 Instructor’s license; requirements; holding of license; prohibition on use; teaching and practicing dentistry; validity; fee; rules Sec. 27.5. |
| Dental Anesthesia Permit | 828 IAC 3-2-2 Sec. 2. (a) An applicant for a dental hygiene anesthetic permit shall complete a course in local anesthesia administration in an educational program accredited by the Commission on Denta… |
| Dental Intern Permit | IC 25-14-1-5 Dental intern permit or dental hygienist intern permit; restrictions; renewal; fees Sec. 5. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 10,490 | $48,950 | $50,370 | $38,950 | $61,150 |
| Cincinnati | 2,440 | $49,590 | $53,990 | $37,840 | $77,420 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,200 | $48,970 | $51,810 | $37,650 | $59,550 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 1,500 | $49,100 | $52,000 | $37,900 | $62,760 |
| Fort Wayne | 630 | $48,670 | $51,060 | $37,970 | $60,840 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 360 | $47,770 | $49,830 | $36,320 | $62,660 |
| Evansville | 300 | $48,000 | $47,870 | $34,350 | $56,810 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 190 | $48,730 | $47,930 | $36,550 | $57,620 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 160 | $52,830 | $54,820 | $37,300 | $72,250 |
| Kokomo | 140 | $48,360 | $49,150 | $37,050 | $60,290 |
| Muncie | 140 | $45,500 | $44,150 | $35,330 | $56,390 |
| Bloomington | 130 | $48,170 | $49,560 | $36,010 | $60,980 |
| Columbus | 120 | $47,260 | $47,740 | $35,760 | $56,850 |
| Terre Haute | 110 | $46,450 | $46,150 | $35,140 | $57,650 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 80 | $48,920 | $48,930 | $36,350 | $59,300 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,200 | $48,970 |
| Fort Wayne | 630 | $48,670 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 360 | $47,770 |
| Evansville | 300 | $48,000 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 190 | $48,730 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 6,690 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do dental assistants earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Indiana is $48,670, which is $1,370 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana State Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/dental.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |