How to Become A Dental Assistant in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 10,760 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,670 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 Virginia, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Virginia
How do I become a dental assistant in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Dental Hygienist Faculty, Dental Assistant I and II, Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Virginia is $46,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,720 and experienced professionals can earn $58,910 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: Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry
- Median wage (Virginia): $46,670 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry oversees dental assistant licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist Faculty | No person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a current, active, and valid license from the Board of Dentistry. |
| Dental Assistant I and II | A person who is employed to assist a licensed dentist or dental hygienist by performing duties not otherwise restricted to the practice of a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental assistant II, as presc… |
| Dental Hygienist | No person shall practice dental hygiene unless he possesses a current, active, and valid license from the Board of Dentistry. |
| Dental Teacher | Upon payment of the prescribed fee and provided that no grounds exist to deny licensure pursuant to § 54. |
| Dental Faculty | Dental Faculty License |
| Dental Hygienists | |
| Mobile Dental Facility | Registration of a mobile dental clinic or portable dental operation. |
| Equine Dental Technician | A person applying for registration as an equine dental technician shall provide a recommendation from at least two veterinarians licensed in Virginia who attest that at least 50% of their practice is… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 8,440 | $47,540 | $50,450 | $37,870 | $62,790 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,860 | $46,670 | $47,100 | $37,260 | $58,500 |
| Richmond | 1,610 | $47,760 | $47,740 | $37,820 | $57,670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 320 | $45,110 | $46,110 | $36,120 | $59,230 |
| Roanoke | 300 | $45,170 | $43,170 | $36,120 | $56,060 |
| Charlottesville | 280 | $45,040 | $46,370 | $37,600 | $58,000 |
| Lynchburg | 230 | $45,110 | $43,530 | $36,020 | $55,890 |
| Winchester | 180 | $46,310 | $44,620 | $36,370 | $56,270 |
| Harrisonburg | 170 | $45,320 | $44,120 | $36,590 | $56,350 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 120 | $46,480 | $44,620 | $37,800 | $49,950 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 110 | $45,810 | $44,980 | $36,290 | $56,770 |
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 Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,860 | $46,670 |
| Richmond | 1,610 | $47,760 |
| Roanoke | 300 | $45,170 |
| Charlottesville | 280 | $45,040 |
| Lynchburg | 230 | $45,110 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 10,760 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do dental assistants earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Virginia is $46,670, which is $630 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Dentistry/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |