How to Become A Dental Assistant in Louisiana
Louisiana employs approximately 4,540 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,090 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 Louisiana, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Louisiana
How do I become a dental assistant in Louisiana? Louisiana requires credentials such as Dental Hygientist. The licensing authority is the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana 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 Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Louisiana is $44,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,050 and experienced professionals can earn $49,640 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: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Louisiana): $44,090 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Louisiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygientist | Persons who perform oral prophylaxis, deep scaling, root planning, polishing with hand or mechanical instruments and other such related duties authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry unde… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 950 | $44,800 | $41,650 | $36,040 | $48,540 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 760 | $45,920 | $44,760 | $36,400 | $52,190 |
| Lafayette | 620 | $44,940 | $45,260 | $32,130 | $79,070 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 410 | $38,950 | $41,510 | $31,200 | $48,300 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 370 | $45,020 | $44,440 | $35,770 | $55,210 |
| Monroe | 310 | $37,020 | $39,330 | $29,700 | $46,040 |
| Lake Charles | 220 | $40,200 | $40,560 | $29,400 | $49,190 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 210 | $37,870 | $41,640 | $30,490 | $47,940 |
| Alexandria | 120 | $43,270 | $41,800 | $29,880 | $47,940 |
| Hammond | 100 | $45,950 | $45,990 | $34,340 | $71,240 |
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 Louisiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Louisiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 950 | $44,800 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 760 | $45,920 |
| Lafayette | 620 | $44,940 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 410 | $38,950 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 370 | $45,020 |
Explore More Trades in Louisiana
- Electrician in Louisiana
- Plumber in Louisiana
- HVAC Technician in Louisiana
- Welder in Louisiana
- Carpenter in Louisiana
- Solar Installation Technician in Louisiana
- Auto Mechanic in Louisiana
- CNC Machinist in Louisiana
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Louisiana
- Medical Assistant in Louisiana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 4,540 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 Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Louisiana.
How much do dental assistants earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Louisiana is $44,090, which is $3,210 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: https://www.lsbd.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |