How to Become A Dental Assistant in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 11,990 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,820 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 Michigan, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Michigan
How do I become a dental assistant in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist, Educational Limited (R.D.H.), Dental Assistant, Educational Limited (R.D.A.), Dental Assistant, Clinical/Nonclinical Limited (R.D.A.). The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Michigan is $48,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,110 and experienced professionals can earn $58,900 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Michigan): $48,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees dental assistant licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist, Educational Limited (R.D.H.) | To receive a RDH Educational Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, must be enrolled in a postgraduate educational prog… |
| Dental Assistant, Educational Limited (R.D.A.) | To receive an RDA Educational Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental assisting program, must be enrolled in a postgraduate educational p… |
| Dental Assistant, Clinical/Nonclinical Limited (R.D.A.) | To receive an RDA Clinical/Nonclinical Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental assisting program, must be enrolled in a postgraduate educ… |
| Dental Hygienist, Clinical/Nonclinical (R.D.H.) | To receive a RDH Clinical/Nonclinical Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, must be enrolled in a postgraduate educati… |
| Dental Assistant, Registered (R.D.A.) | To receive a Registered Dental Assistant License, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental assisting program, have competency in applying and removing a dental dam, and pass the Mi… |
| Dental Hygienist, Registered (R.D.H.) | To receive a Registered Dental Hygienist License, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental assisting program, pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and pass the ADEX R… |
| Dental Educational Limited | To receive a Dental Educational Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental school, be enrolled in a postgraduate educational program, and ta… |
| Dental Clinical/Nonclinical Limited | To receive a Dental Clinical/Nonclinical Limited License in the State of Michigan, an applicant must graduate from a CODA/ADA-accredited dental school, must be appointed to a clinical or nonclinical a… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 6,030 | $50,110 | $49,390 | $37,010 | $58,660 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,470 | $50,490 | $55,120 | $39,130 | $85,280 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 550 | $56,150 | $50,480 | $36,350 | $57,520 |
| Ann Arbor | 490 | $53,370 | $51,410 | $38,770 | $58,720 |
| Flint | 430 | $48,360 | $48,420 | $37,440 | $60,350 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 360 | $47,770 | $49,830 | $36,320 | $62,660 |
| Traverse City | 290 | $46,910 | $49,130 | $37,110 | $57,620 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 280 | $46,920 | $47,740 | $35,890 | $57,570 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 170 | $46,570 | $45,650 | $36,930 | $54,760 |
| Saginaw | 170 | $46,050 | $48,740 | $37,380 | $58,340 |
| Jackson | 150 | $45,540 | $48,610 | $38,420 | $57,960 |
| Midland | 130 | $48,360 | $48,950 | $37,280 | $56,940 |
| Niles | 130 | $46,170 | $49,500 | $39,100 | $58,030 |
| Battle Creek | 100 | $44,860 | $49,520 | $37,040 | $66,870 |
| Bay City | 90 | $45,070 | $47,990 | $37,500 | $56,210 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 80 | $48,920 | $48,930 | $36,350 | $59,300 |
| Monroe | 70 | $46,320 | $48,030 | $37,440 | $57,440 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 6,030 | $50,110 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,470 | $50,490 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 550 | $56,150 |
| Ann Arbor | 490 | $53,370 |
| Flint | 430 | $48,360 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 11,990 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do dental assistants earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Michigan is $48,820, which is $1,520 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |