How to Become a Dental Assistant in Missouri (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 6,760 dental assistants earning a median $45,970 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Missouri

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
169.9Contact school for pricing$58,40782%—50 mi
255.0Contact school for pricing$52,95630%Yes*115 mi
Sponsored Ad
354.7Contact school for pricing$42,62832%Yes*84 mi
451.9Contact school for pricing$38,75755%Yes*109 mi
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546.2Contact school for pricing$36,02576%—88 mi
645.8Contact school for pricing$50,12131%Yes*112 mi
Sponsored Ad
745.5Contact school for pricing$40,789Not reportedYes*38 mi
842.5Contact school for pricing$35,13460%—125 mi
Sponsored Ad
940.9Contact school for pricing$38,75769%—112 mi
1034.3Contact school for pricing$48,396Not reportedYes*126 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

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 licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Missouri

How to become a Dental Assistant in Missouri? 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board.

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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board.

Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri credentials this role through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board 3. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Missouri

  1. Meet basic requirements. Most Missouri dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board.
  2. 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 Missouri. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  3. 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 Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board.
  4. 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 Missouri

Dental assistants in Missouri typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board requires. See Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board 3.

Typical path

  1. Meet the program’s entry rules.

  2. Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.

  3. Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.

  4. Apply to Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis2,990$48,120$49,660$37,780$60,530
Kansas City2,470$48,190$47,870$38,190$59,530
Springfield850$45,500$43,610$35,270$50,110
Columbia220$46,920$45,860$34,990$57,550
Joplin210$43,010$43,140$34,640$49,020
Cape Girardeau150$44,370$43,710$35,200$55,830
Jefferson City150$44,090$44,240$36,740$56,300
St. Joseph140$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 .

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 - Division Of Professional Registration - 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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Missouri

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division Of Professional Registration - Missouri State Dental Board - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/dental.asp ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)