Do dental assistants need a license in Maine?

Yes. Maine requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Maine Board of Dental Practice. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maine (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Maine 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 Maine?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Maine earned a median annual wage of approximately $60,070.

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

Maine currently employs approximately 1,550 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

Maine employs about 1,550 dental assistants earning a median $60,070 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 Maine Board of Dental Practice.

Key Facts

Median wage (Maine): $60,070/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Maine: 1,550 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.97x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Maine Board of Dental Practice (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Maine

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	Middlesex Community College	62.1	Contact school for pricing	$56,301	23%	Yes*	206 mi
2	Quinsigamond Community College	58.1	Contact school for pricing	$55,076	21%	Yes*	232 mi
3	NHTI-Concord's Community College	56.4	Contact school for pricing	$55,056	Not reported	Yes*	173 mi
4	Southeastern Technical Institute	54.0	Contact school for pricing	$48,037	Not reported	—	233 mi
5	Massasoit Community College	53.9	Contact school for pricing	$54,288	21%	Yes*	227 mi
6	Mount Wachusett Community College	53.3	Contact school for pricing	$53,977	27%	Yes*	221 mi
7	Northern Essex Community College	52.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,743	20%	Yes*	183 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.

Maine employs approximately 1,550 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,070 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 Maine, 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: Maine Board of Dental Practice
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Maine): $60,070 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maine

How to become a Dental Assistant in Maine? 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 Maine Board of Dental Practice.

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 Maine Board of Dental Practice.

Do I need a license in Maine? Yes. Maine credentials this role through Maine Board of Dental Practice ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Maine? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maine is $60,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,290 and experienced professionals can earn $62,660 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Maine

Meet basic requirements. Most Maine dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Maine Board of Dental Practice.
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 Maine. 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 Maine Board of Dental Practice.
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 Maine

Dental assistants in Maine typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Maine Board of Dental Practice requires. See Maine Board of Dental Practice 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 Maine Board of Dental Practice when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Maine Board of Dental Practice before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Maine

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maine

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland	830	$61,240	$59,380	$49,160	$62,660
Bangor	190	$49,160	$52,640	$45,970	$60,490
Lewiston-Auburn	100	$57,650	$55,980	$48,250	$62,540

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 Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 1,550 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 Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Board of Dental Practice for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do dental assistants earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maine is $60,070, which is $12,770 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Maine

Best Trade Schools in Maine (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Maine

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Board of Dental Practice - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/dental/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)