How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in Nebraska?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska through 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.

Q: How much do dental assistants earn in Nebraska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,660.

Q: Do dental assistants need a license in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Nebraska?

Nebraska currently employs approximately 2,520 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Nebraska employs about 2,520 dental assistants earning a median $46,660 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit.

Key Facts

Median wage (Nebraska): $46,660/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Nebraska: 2,520 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.99x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Nebraska

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.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Salina Area Technical College	78.9	Contact school for pricing	$45,249	70%	Yes*	158 mi
2	Flint Hills Technical College	75.5	Contact school for pricing	$52,442	68%	Yes*	185 mi
3	Southeast Technical College	69.7	$7,650 - $20,272	$53,289	56%	Yes*	176 mi
4	Central Community College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$48,675	46%	Yes*	74 mi
5	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	Contact school for pricing	$47,713	44%	Yes*	105 mi
6	Southeast Community College Area	55.6	Contact school for pricing	$54,277	36%	Yes*	24 mi
7	Iowa Central Community College	54.0	Contact school for pricing	$46,682	Not reported	Yes*	175 mi
8	Des Moines Area Community College	50.0	Contact school for pricing	$51,817	37%	Yes*	181 mi
9	Iowa Western Community College	48.3	Contact school for pricing	$51,139	Not reported	Yes*	64 mi
10	Metropolitan Community College Area	46.7	Contact school for pricing	$53,376	27%	Yes*	56 mi

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.

Nebraska employs approximately 2,520 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,660 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 Nebraska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
Typical timeline: 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
Licensing authority: Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Nebraska): $46,660 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska

How to become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit.

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 Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit.

Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska credentials this role through Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Nebraska is $46,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,810 and experienced professionals can earn $57,430 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska

Meet basic requirements. Most Nebraska dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit.
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 Nebraska. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
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 Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit.
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 Nebraska

Dental assistants in Nebraska typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit requires. See Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.
Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.
Apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	1,150	$48,020	$48,260	$39,720	$59,570
Lincoln	580	$48,440	$47,950	$38,970	$57,560
Sioux City	190	$48,590	$51,060	$39,530	$59,660
Grand Island	100	$46,910	$46,470	$39,850	$55,880

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 Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 2,520 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 Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nebraska.

How much do dental assistants earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Nebraska is $46,660, which is $640 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Nebraska

Best Trade Schools in Nebraska (2026)

Top local programs

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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

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services - Public Health Licensure Unit - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/acupuncture.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)