Do dental assistants need a license in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the Department of Health. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Washington (2026)

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

Most people become a Dental Assistant in Washington 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 Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,090. Employment concentration in Washington is about 1.47 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Washington currently employs approximately 13,050 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

Washington dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $58,090 ($27.93/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 13,050 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 20.8% above the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,090 ($27.93/hr)
25th percentile: $48,780 per year
75th percentile: $62,340 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $68,230 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,280 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 13,050
Versus national median: 20.8% above the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.47 - this occupation is more concentrated in Washington than the national average

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

Washington employs about 13,050 dental assistants earning a median $58,090 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 Department of Health.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in Washington

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. 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 (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Shoreline Community College	76.4	$5,115 in-state / $7,905 out-of-state	$61,196	29%	Yes*	73 mi
2	Pierce College District	69.7	$5,418 in-state / $5,976 out-of-state	$53,333	31%	Yes*	67 mi
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3	Lake Washington Institute of Technology	68.9	$5,997 in-state / $12,062 out-of-state	$55,891	37%	Yes*	64 mi
4	Bates Technical College	65.2	$6,027 in-state / $12,165 out-of-state	Not reported	43%	Yes*	62 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Clover Park Technical College	63.9	$6,634	$51,699	43%	Yes*	63 mi
6	Renton Technical College	63.3	$6,308 in-state / $7,369 out-of-state	$56,466	46%	Yes*	56 mi
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7	Yakima Valley College	55.9	$5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state	$51,006	29%	—	45 mi
8	Seattle Central College	55.0	$5,184 in-state / $5,745 out-of-state	$60,072	32%	—	66 mi
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9	Pima Medical Institute-Seattle	52.5	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	68%	—	70 mi
10	Pima Medical Institute-Renton	52.3	Contact school for pricing	$42,937	69%	—	56 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

Washington employs approximately 13,050 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,090 ¹. The state’s concentration of dental assistant jobs is 1.47x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Washington, 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: Department of Health
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (Washington): $58,090 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in Washington

How to become a Dental Assistant in Washington? 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 Department of Health.

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 Department of Health.

Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington credentials this role through Department of Health ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in Washington? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Washington is $58,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,280 and experienced professionals can earn $68,230 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Washington

Meet basic requirements. Most Washington dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with Department of Health.
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 Washington. 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 Department of Health.
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 Washington

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

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Health before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Washington

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Washington

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in Washington 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
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	7,100	$62,040	$59,650	$48,900	$72,060
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	4,120	$59,890	$60,700	$47,290	$76,040
Spokane-Spokane Valley	1,000	$50,980	$52,610	$45,550	$61,980
Kennewick-Richland	520	$49,540	$54,040	$45,920	$61,370
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	480	$48,890	$54,120	$46,320	$65,730
Yakima	480	$46,670	$48,690	$37,420	$59,490
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard	470	$49,800	$53,620	$45,760	$60,940
Bellingham	410	$49,830	$53,600	$46,610	$61,250
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	230	$49,530	$54,120	$46,030	$61,760
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee	210	$48,300	$51,680	$44,500	$59,440
Longview-Kelso	190	$47,500	$51,600	$39,010	$61,640
Walla Walla	110	$49,790	$51,880	$44,000	$60,240
Lewiston	100	$47,360	$49,490	$37,590	$61,110

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 Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 13,050 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 Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Washington.

How much do dental assistants earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Washington is $58,090, which is $10,790 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In Washington

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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 - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎

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)