How to Become A Dental Assistant in North Dakota
North Dakota employs approximately 860 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,770 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 North Dakota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in North Dakota
How do I become a dental assistant in North Dakota? North Dakota requires credentials such as Qualified Dental Assistants, Registered Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists. The licensing authority is the ND State Board of Dental Examiners 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 North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The ND State Board of Dental Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Dakota is $57,770 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,680 and experienced professionals can earn $72,710 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: ND State Board of Dental Examiners
- Median wage (North Dakota): $57,770 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in North Dakota
The ND State Board of Dental Examiners oversees dental assistant licensing in North Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Qualified Dental Assistants | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Registered Dental Assistants | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
| Dental Hygienists | For more information about the licensing process, including application and renewal fees, please check with the licensing authority. |
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 North Dakota
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 330 | $56,940 | $55,220 | $45,300 | $70,450 |
| Bismarck | 210 | $58,960 | $58,950 | $46,130 | $74,680 |
| Grand Forks | 110 | $57,770 | $56,190 | $45,300 | $70,170 |
| Minot | 70 | $57,770 | $57,000 | $45,010 | $73,730 |
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 North Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within North Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 330 | $56,940 |
| Bismarck | 210 | $58,960 |
| Grand Forks | 110 | $57,770 |
| Minot | 70 | $57,770 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 860 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 North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND State Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Dakota.
How much do dental assistants earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in North Dakota is $57,770, which is $10,470 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ND State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.nddentalboard.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |