How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana 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 Louisiana?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Louisiana earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,090.

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

Louisiana currently employs approximately 4,540 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

Louisiana employs about 4,540 dental assistants earning a median $44,090 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 (Louisiana): $44,090/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Louisiana: 4,540 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.94x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Louisiana

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	Hinds Community College	53.6	Contact school for pricing	$40,042	Not reported	Yes*	118 mi
2	Delta College of Arts & Technology-Lafayette Campus	38.3	Contact school for pricing	$35,243	59%	—	59 mi
3	Delta College Inc	37.4	Contact school for pricing	$32,032	Not reported	—	105 mi
4	Delta College of Arts & Technology	36.8	Contact school for pricing	$35,243	Not reported	—	52 mi
5	Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette	35.5	Contact school for pricing	$27,850	59%	Yes*	59 mi
6	Medical Training College	32.7	Contact school for pricing	$29,675	Not reported	—	56 mi
7	Unitech Training Academy-Houma	31.6	Contact school for pricing	$27,850	65%	—	112 mi
8	Unitech Training Academy-Alexandria	28.0	Contact school for pricing	$27,850	61%	—	46 mi
9	Blue Cliff College-Metairie	27.2	Contact school for pricing	$26,644	48%	—	116 mi
10	Unitech Training Academy-Baton Rouge	22.8	Contact school for pricing	$27,850	53%	—	57 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.

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 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 (Louisiana): $44,090 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana

How to become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana? 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 Louisiana? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana

Meet basic requirements. Most Louisiana 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 Louisiana. 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 Louisiana

Dental assistants in Louisiana 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 Louisiana

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .

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? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

In Louisiana

Best Trade Schools in Louisiana (2026)

Top local programs

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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)