PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Dental Assistant
Aspen Dental · Hammond, LA
$17.00–$20.00/ hour
New this week
Dental Assistant jobs in Lake Charles, LA
Dental Assistants in the Lake Charles area earn a median of $18.63 per hour, about $38,750 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $13.77 and $22.79. That ranks 305th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 252nd of 339 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Lake Charles.
- $18.63median pay per hour, Lake Charles
- $14–$23typical range per hour
- 230dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 86cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Assistant pay in Lake Charles, LA
The metro median is 2% above the Louisiana statewide median of $18.34 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 230 dental assistants employed in the Lake Charles metro area, 2.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.94).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $12.90 | $26,830 | 43% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $13.77 | $28,640 | 39% below U.S. median |
| Median | $18.63 | $38,750 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $22.79 | $47,400 | in line with U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $22.97 | $47,780 | 1% above U.S. median |
How Lake Charles ranks
- 305th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 252nd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd of 8 Louisiana metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Assistants (SOC 31-9091), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Lake Charles
- Overall prices in Lake Charles run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 48% below the U.S. average (index 51.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $18.63 median hour buys what $21.70 buys at the national price level, 5% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Lake Charles Dental Assistant pay report
Named employers near Lake Charles, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Lake Charles paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$671
- Per year: $33,534
- Per month: $2,794
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lake Charles metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Open Dental Assistant roles in Louisiana
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Lake Charles as they open.
PermanentPosted 24 days ago
Dental Assistant
PDS Health · Harahan, LA
$17.25–$24.00/ hour
For youUpdated weekly
50+ more Dental Assistant roles for you in Louisiana
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant
ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers · Metairie, LA
$23.00–$25.00/ hour
Top 25% pay
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant - Expanded Functions
Aspen Dental · Lafayette, LA
$20.00–$27.00/ hour
Top 25% pay
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant - Expanded Functions
Aspen Dental · New Iberia, LA
$20.00–$25.00/ hour
Top 25% pay
PermanentPosted 30+ days ago
Dental Assistant - Expanded Functions
Aspen Dental · Monroe, LA
$18.00–$22.00/ hour
Dental health shortage areas in Calcasieu Parish
HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Calcasieu Parish (1 population-group, 3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 23 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Assistant pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur, TX | 46 mi | $18.18/hr | 55,799 |
| Beaumont, TX | 56 mi | $18.18/hr | 112,893 |
| Baytown, TX | 109 mi | $17.59/hr | 86,004 |
| Texas City, TX | 114 mi | $17.59/hr | 57,875 |
| Pasadena, TX | 122 mi | $17.59/hr | 149,617 |
| League City, TX | 124 mi | $17.59/hr | 118,456 |
Dental Assistant jobs in Louisiana · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Louisiana
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Louisiana requires for your role with the Louisiana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Louisiana taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Lake Charles
Lake Charles city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Lake Charles, LA?
Dental Assistants in the Lake Charles metro area have a median pay of $18.63 per hour, about $38,750 a year. The middle half earn between $13.77 and $22.79 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Lake Charles a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Lake Charles ranks 252nd of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 305th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Louisiana license to work in Lake Charles as a dental assistant?
State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Louisiana requires for your role with the Louisiana licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Lake Charles in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Calcasieu Parish. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental assistants in Lake Charles?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lake Charles and across Louisiana. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lake Charles.
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What do employers near Lake Charles pay dental assistants? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
50+ Dental Assistant roles in Louisiana, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Louisiana list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- PDS HealthHarahan, LA · 3 postings$20.62/ hr$16–$24
- Aspen DentalHammond, LA · 7 postings$19.50/ hr$15–$27
- Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
- Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Louisiana list
2What they are offering now
Low$16Median$20.00High$25
11 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Louisiana, 2 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 11 Dental Assistant roles
- Dental AssistantPermanent$17.00–$20.00/ hour
- Dental AssistantPermanent$17.25–$24.00/ hour
+ 9 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.