How to Become A Dental Assistant in Ohio
Ohio employs approximately 12,150 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,970 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 Ohio, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Ohio
How do I become a dental assistant in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as Dental Assistant Radiographer License, Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Ohio 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 Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Ohio State Dental Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Ohio is $47,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,870 and experienced professionals can earn $78,000 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: Ohio State Dental Board
- Median wage (Ohio): $47,970 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Choice of state or third-party exam
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio State Dental Board oversees dental assistant licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Radiographer License | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
| Dental Hygienist | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Choice of state or third-party exam
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2,560 | $48,760 | $52,250 | $37,730 | $78,500 |
| Cleveland | 2,540 | $47,800 | $56,780 | $37,050 | $88,300 |
| Cincinnati | 2,440 | $49,590 | $53,990 | $37,840 | $77,420 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 840 | $48,710 | $53,770 | $37,180 | $72,780 |
| Akron | 740 | $48,230 | $50,220 | $37,970 | $70,720 |
| Toledo | 700 | $46,580 | $50,110 | $36,870 | $76,090 |
| Canton-Massillon | 400 | $45,340 | $47,590 | $36,280 | $60,750 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 340 | $43,800 | $46,980 | $37,300 | $58,540 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 240 | $42,660 | $42,720 | $32,120 | $56,760 |
| Mansfield | 110 | $44,410 | $47,380 | $36,060 | $61,820 |
| Wheeling | 110 | $44,610 | $45,810 | $36,410 | $60,540 |
| Springfield | 100 | $45,660 | $51,200 | $36,300 | $80,580 |
| Lima | 90 | $45,570 | $48,150 | $35,670 | $75,370 |
| Sandusky | 90 | $46,260 | $49,600 | $37,450 | $73,770 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 60 | $43,790 | $44,810 | $34,360 | $64,450 |
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 Ohio
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Ohio according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2,560 | $48,760 |
| Cleveland | 2,540 | $47,800 |
| Cincinnati | 2,440 | $49,590 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 840 | $48,710 |
| Akron | 740 | $48,230 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 12,150 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 Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio State Dental Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Ohio.
How much do dental assistants earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Ohio is $47,970, which is $670 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio State Dental Board - Licensing Information: https://www.dental.ohio.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |