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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Vermont (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Vermont 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 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 about 580 dental assistants earning a median $52,760 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Vermont

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	Charles H McCann Technical School	74.3	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	94%	—	111 mi
2	Hudson Valley Community College	62.7	Contact school for pricing	$54,719	34%	Yes*	117 mi
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3	Middlesex Community College	62.1	Contact school for pricing	$56,301	23%	Yes*	142 mi
4	Springfield Technical Community College	58.4	Contact school for pricing	$51,917	Not reported	Yes*	149 mi
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5	Quinsigamond Community College	58.1	Contact school for pricing	$55,076	21%	Yes*	143 mi
6	NHTI-Concord's Community College	56.4	Contact school for pricing	$55,056	Not reported	Yes*	95 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Mount Wachusett Community College	53.3	Contact school for pricing	$53,977	27%	Yes*	122 mi
8	Northern Essex Community College	52.4	Contact school for pricing	$52,743	20%	Yes*	133 mi
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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.

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 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: Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Vermont): $52,760 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Vermont

How to become a Dental Assistant in Vermont? 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board.

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 Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board.

Do I need a license in Vermont? Yes. Vermont credentials this role through Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board ³. See the licensing section below.

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.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Vermont

Meet basic requirements. Most Vermont dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board.
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 Vermont. 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board.
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 Vermont

Dental assistants in Vermont typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board requires. See Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board 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 Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Vermont Secretary of State - Dental - Board before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Vermont

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Vermont

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In Vermont

Best Trade Schools in Vermont (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Vermont

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)