"How long does it take to become a dental assistant in Vermont?"

"Most paths into the dental assistant field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do dental assistants need a license in Vermont?"

"Yes. Vermont requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for dental assistants in Vermont?"

"In Vermont, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Vermont Office of Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Dental Assistant in Vermont

Q: "How much do dental assistants earn in Vermont?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Vermont earned a median annual wage of approximately $52,760. Employment concentration in Vermont is roughly 0.77 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"Vermont currently employs approximately 580 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

Vermont dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $52,760 ($25.37/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 580 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 9.8% above the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $52,760 ($25.37/hr)
25th percentile: $47,350 per year
75th percentile: $60,420 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $66,410 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $45,260 per year
Workers employed in Vermont: 580
Versus national median: 9.8% above the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.77 - this occupation is less concentrated in Vermont than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Vermont employs approximately 580 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $52,760 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 Vermont, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Vermont

How do I become a dental assistant in Vermont? Vermont requires credentials such as Registered Certified Dental Assistant, Registered Traditional Dental Assistant, Dental Therapist. The licensing authority is the Vermont Secretary of 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 Vermont? Yes. Vermont has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do dental assistants earn in Vermont? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Vermont is $52,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,260 and experienced professionals can earn $66,410 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: Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board
Median wage (Vermont): $52,760 per year ¹
Exam requirement: No exam required

Dental Assistant License Requirements in Vermont

The Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board oversees dental assistant licensing in Vermont ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Registered Certified Dental Assistant	Assists the dentist in providing care directly to the patient. Specific duties are based upon their education, experience and the employing dentist.
Registered Traditional Dental Assistant	Assists the dentist in providing care directly to the patient. Specific duties are based upon their education, experience and the employing dentist.
Dental Therapist	Provide preventive and basic dental repair services, including exams, x-rays, fluoride treatments, cleanings, placement of sealants, fillings and simple extractions.
Dental Hygienist	Cleans teeth, examines oral areas, takes and develops X-rays, and educates patients on oral hygiene.

Additional Requirements

Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
Exam: No exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Vermont

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Vermont

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Vermont vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Burlington-South Burlington	270	$57,230	$56,340	$46,820	$68,400

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 Vermont

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Vermont according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Burlington-South Burlington	270	$57,230

Explore More Trades in Vermont

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Vermont? Vermont currently employs approximately 580 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 Vermont with an out-of-state license? Contact the Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Vermont? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Vermont.

How much do dental assistants earn in Vermont compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Vermont is $52,760, which is $5,460 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board - Licensing Information: https://sos.vermont.gov/dental-examiners/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)