How to Become a Dental Assistant in West Virginia (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in West Virginia?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in West Virginia 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 West Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $37,960. Employment concentration in West Virginia is roughly 0.74 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 West Virginia?

West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,290 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

West Virginia dental assistants earn a median annual wage of $37,960 ($18.25/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,290 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -21.0% below the national median of $48,070 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $37,960 ($18.25/hr)
25th percentile: $36,360 per year
75th percentile: $45,180 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $52,630 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $31,760 per year
Workers employed in West Virginia: 1,290
Versus national median: -21.0% below the U.S. median of $48,070
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.74 - this occupation is less concentrated in West Virginia than the national average

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

West Virginia employs about 1,290 dental assistants earning a median $37,960 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. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in West Virginia

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	Mercer County Technical Education Center	64.7	Contact school for pricing	$38,627	Not reported	—	90 mi
2	Collins Career Technical Center	63.7	Contact school for pricing	$51,897	58%	—	66 mi
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3	BridgeValley Community & Technical College	55.3	Contact school for pricing	$57,464	30%	Yes*	31 mi
4	Scioto County Career Technical Center	54.7	Contact school for pricing	$45,417	73%	—	94 mi
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5	Huntington Junior College	45.2	Contact school for pricing	$28,491	Not reported	Yes*	66 mi
6	Hocking College	44.3	Contact school for pricing	$44,764	Not reported	Yes*	74 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Ross College-Morgantown	38.9	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	69%	—	97 mi
8	Mountwest Community and Technical College	33.4	Contact school for pricing	$45,495	18%	—	67 mi
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9	Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston	33.1	Contact school for pricing	$32,987	59%	—	29 mi
10	West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport	Not rated	Contact school for pricing	$33,018	56%	Yes*	69 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.

West Virginia employs approximately 1,290 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,960 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 West Virginia, 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
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (West Virginia): $37,960 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in West Virginia

How to become a Dental Assistant in West Virginia? 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. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

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 employer.

Do I need a license in West Virginia? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for dental assistants in West Virginia is $37,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,760 and experienced professionals can earn $52,630 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in West Virginia

Meet basic requirements. Most West Virginia dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with the employer.
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 West Virginia. 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 the employer.
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 West Virginia

Dental assistants in West Virginia typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit the employer requires.

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 the employer when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in West 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
Hagerstown-Martinsburg	260	$46,690	$46,390	$35,120	$59,920
Huntington-Ashland	240	$42,660	$42,720	$32,120	$56,760
Charleston	210	$38,090	$42,640	$34,270	$57,270
Winchester	180	$46,310	$44,620	$36,370	$56,270
Beckley	110	$37,410	$40,460	$30,370	$48,930
Wheeling	110	$44,610	$45,810	$36,410	$60,540
Morgantown	100	$38,540	$41,530	$30,270	$53,700
Parkersburg-Vienna	70	$36,820	$40,100	$32,410	$49,270
Weirton-Steubenville	60	$43,790	$44,810	$34,360	$64,450

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,290 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do dental assistants earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in West Virginia is $37,960, which is $9,340 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In West Virginia

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)