How to Become A Dental Assistant in Washington
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 certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Washington
How do I become a dental assistant in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Dental assistant, Dental Hygienist, Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary. The licensing authority is the Department of Health 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 Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
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
- Median wage (Washington): $58,090 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees dental assistant licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dental assistant | Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records. |
| Dental Hygienist | Individuals must graduate from an American Dental Association Commison on Dental Accreditation accredited dental hygiene program, have training for anaesthesia and restorative, have a certification of… |
| Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary | License RequirementsChapter 18.260 RCWChapter 246-817 WACEducation and trainingApplicants must successfully complete a dental assisting education program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accredi… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 7,100 | $62,040 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 1,000 | $50,980 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 520 | $49,540 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 480 | $48,890 |
| Yakima | 480 | $46,670 |
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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 apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited 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.
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 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |