How to Become A Dental Assistant in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 6,760 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,970 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 Missouri, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Missouri
How do I become a dental assistant in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist, Dental Specialist. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board 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 Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Missouri is $45,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,580 and experienced professionals can earn $59,410 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board
- Median wage (Missouri): $45,970 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board oversees dental assistant licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | An applicant shall have satisfactorily completed a course in dental hygiene in an accredited dental hygene school, has passed the National Board Examination, passed a state or regional entry - level c… |
| Dental Specialist | An applicant shall be a currently licensed dentist in Missouri, a current diplomat of an American specialty board recognized by the ADA or a graduate of an accredited specialty training program. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 2,990 | $48,120 | $49,660 | $37,780 | $60,530 |
| Kansas City | 2,470 | $48,190 | $47,870 | $38,190 | $59,530 |
| Springfield | 850 | $45,500 | $43,610 | $35,270 | $50,110 |
| Columbia | 220 | $46,920 | $45,860 | $34,990 | $57,550 |
| Joplin | 210 | $43,010 | $43,140 | $34,640 | $49,020 |
| Cape Girardeau | 150 | $44,370 | $43,710 | $35,200 | $55,830 |
| Jefferson City | 150 | $44,090 | $44,240 | $36,740 | $56,300 |
| St. Joseph | 140 | $43,500 | $44,860 | $36,120 | $56,230 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 2,990 | $48,120 |
| Kansas City | 2,470 | $48,190 |
| Springfield | 850 | $45,500 |
| Columbia | 220 | $46,920 |
| Joplin | 210 | $43,010 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 6,760 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do dental assistants earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Missouri is $45,970, which is $1,330 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Dental Board - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/dental.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |