How to Become A Dental Assistant in Montana
Montana employs approximately 1,450 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,680 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 Montana, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Montana
How do I become a dental assistant in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Dental Assistants, Dentistry - Dental Hygienist RV, Dentistry - Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the 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 Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Montana? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Montana is $46,680 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,340 and experienced professionals can earn $57,900 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: Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Montana): $46,680 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Montana
The Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Montana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | Dental assistants help dentists with patient care, office tasks, and lab duties. |
| Dentistry - Dental Hygienist RV | Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. |
| Dentistry - Dental Hygienist | Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. |
| Dentistry - Dental Hygienist NRV | Dental hygienists clean teeth and teach clients how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. |
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 Montana
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 330 | $47,550 | $48,310 | $38,290 | $61,090 |
| Missoula | 210 | $46,550 | $47,500 | $38,910 | $56,200 |
| Bozeman | 190 | $49,160 | $50,500 | $44,490 | $56,840 |
| Helena | 130 | $46,870 | $46,910 | $38,860 | $56,420 |
| Great Falls | 120 | $46,360 | $45,700 | $38,100 | $55,700 |
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 Montana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | 330 | $47,550 |
| Missoula | 210 | $46,550 |
| Bozeman | 190 | $49,160 |
| Helena | 130 | $46,870 |
| Great Falls | 120 | $46,360 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 1,450 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.
How much do dental assistants earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Montana is $46,680, which is $620 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/den ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |