How to Become A Dental Assistant in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 5,980 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $65,270 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 Minnesota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Minnesota
How do I become a dental assistant in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Dental Assistant, Dental Therapist / Advanced Dental Therapist / Resident Provider, Dental Hygienist / Resident Provider. The licensing authority is the Minnesota 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Minnesota Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Minnesota is $65,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,960 and experienced professionals can earn $76,110 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: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Minnesota): $65,270 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review: New Applicant - Assistant tab Video Tutorials page These video tutorials have been created by Board staff to provide assistance to applicants for licensure in a he… |
| Dental Therapist / Advanced Dental Therapist / Resident Provider | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review: New Applicant - Dental Therapy tab Video Tutorials page These video tutorials have been created by Board staff to provide assistance to applicants for licensure in… |
| Dental Hygienist / Resident Provider | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review: New Applicant - Hygienist tab Video Tutorials page These video tutorials have been created by Board staff to provide assistance to applicants for licensure in a he… |
| Dental Guest / Volunteer | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review: New Applicant - Guest / Volunteer tab Video Tutorials page These video tutorials have been created by Board staff to provide assistance to applicants for licensure… |
| Dental Licenses -Emeritus Status | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review: New Applicant - Emeritus tab Video Tutorials page These video tutorials have been created by Board staff to provide assistance to applicants for licensure in a hel… |
| Dental Restorative Functions Certification | Minnesota Board of Dentistry Review Restorative Functions Certification None |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,910 | $72,370 | $67,420 | $46,920 | $76,280 |
| Sioux Falls | 450 | $48,890 | $51,590 | $38,470 | $60,770 |
| Fargo | 330 | $56,940 | $55,220 | $45,300 | $70,450 |
| Rochester | 320 | $63,450 | $61,860 | $46,090 | $74,510 |
| Duluth | 310 | $59,390 | $57,590 | $45,550 | $70,710 |
| St. Cloud | 270 | $61,000 | $60,540 | $49,140 | $72,480 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 230 | $47,180 | $49,250 | $40,700 | $58,390 |
| Mankato | 120 | $61,010 | $60,250 | $47,120 | $72,330 |
| Grand Forks | 110 | $57,770 | $56,190 | $45,300 | $70,170 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,910 | $72,370 |
| Rochester | 320 | $63,450 |
| Duluth | 310 | $59,390 |
| St. Cloud | 270 | $61,000 |
| Mankato | 120 | $61,010 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 5,980 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do dental assistants earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Minnesota is $65,270, which is $17,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://mn.gov/health-licensing-boards/dentistry/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |