How to Become A Dental Assistant in Maryland
Maryland employs approximately 6,560 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,620 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 Maryland, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Maryland
How do I become a dental assistant in Maryland? Maryland requires credentials such as DENTAL ASSISTANT, DENTAL HYGIENIST. The licensing authority is the Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital 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 Maryland? Yes. Maryland has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maryland is $48,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,560 and experienced professionals can earn $61,710 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: Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital
- Median wage (Maryland): $48,620 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Maryland
The Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital oversees dental assistant licensing in Maryland 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| DENTAL ASSISTANT | |
| DENTAL HYGIENIST |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Maryland vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 8,440 | $47,540 | $50,450 | $37,870 | $62,790 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 6,510 | $49,570 | $52,220 | $40,040 | $69,250 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 2,930 | $48,410 | $51,300 | $37,440 | $59,860 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 260 | $46,690 | $46,390 | $35,120 | $59,920 |
| Lexington Park | 170 | $48,030 | $50,480 | $37,770 | $60,330 |
| Salisbury | 80 | $46,850 | $46,720 | $36,440 | $57,660 |
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 Maryland
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Maryland according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 2,930 | $48,410 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 260 | $46,690 |
| Lexington Park | 170 | $48,030 |
| Salisbury | 80 | $46,850 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 6,560 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 Maryland with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland.
How much do dental assistants earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Maryland is $48,620, which is $1,320 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maryland State Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene - Spring Grove State Hospital - Licensing Information: http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/dental ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |