MI · Ann Arbor · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Ann Arbor, MI

Pay for dental assistants in the Ann Arbor area centers on $24.20 per hour, or about $50,340 a year. The lower quarter earns under $20.99 and the upper quarter over $26.50. That ranks 43rd of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 118th of 339 once local prices are factored in. 2 open roles with published pay are listed for Ann Arbor and its metro area. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ann Arbor.

Open Dental Assistant roles near Ann Arbor

Roles in other cities of the Ann Arbor area.

PermanentPosted 24 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · Ypsilanti, MI

$21.00–$23.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-011963
Top 25% pay
View role

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Dental Assistant pay in Ann Arbor, MI

The metro median is 7% above the Michigan statewide median of $22.61 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 440 dental assistants employed in the Ann Arbor metro area, 2.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.83).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.90$37,23021% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$20.99$43,6608% below U.S. median
Median$24.20$50,3406% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$26.50$55,12017% above U.S. median
Top 10%$27.78$57,78022% above U.S. median

How Ann Arbor ranks

  • 43rd of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 118th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 14 Michigan 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 Ann Arbor

  • Overall prices in Ann Arbor run 1% above the U.S. average (index 100.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 25% above the U.S. average (index 125.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $24.20 median hour buys what $23.99 buys at the national price level, 5% above 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.

Estimate your Ann Arbor paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$871
  • Per year: $43,560
  • Per month: $3,630

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ann Arbor metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Dental health shortage areas in Washtenaw County

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Washtenaw County (3 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 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

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Westland, MI18 mi$22.75/hr82,745
Novi, MI19 mi$22.75/hr67,675
Livonia, MI20 mi$22.75/hr93,113
Dearborn Heights, MI23 mi$22.75/hr61,040
Farmington Hills, MI23 mi$22.75/hr84,173
Taylor, MI24 mi$22.75/hr61,544

Dental Assistant jobs in Michigan · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Michigan

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Michigan requires for your role with the Michigan licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Michigan taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Michigan state guide

Other healthcare roles in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Ann Arbor, MI?

Dental Assistants in the Ann Arbor metro area have a median pay of $24.20 per hour, about $50,340 a year. The middle half earn between $20.99 and $26.50 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Ann Arbor a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?

Ann Arbor ranks 118th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 43rd of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 1% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring dental assistants in Ann Arbor?

We list 2 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in the Ann Arbor area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Ann Arbor.

Do I need a Michigan license to work in Ann Arbor as a dental assistant?

State registration, license or certificate where required, often including radiography. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Michigan requires for your role with the Michigan licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Ann Arbor in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Washtenaw County. 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 Ann Arbor?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ann Arbor and across Michigan. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ann Arbor.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Ann Arbor, MI
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Michigan list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalMarquette, MI · 18 postings$21.00/ hr$17–$28
  • Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
  • Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
  • Denver HealthDenver, CO · 8 postings$27.51/ hr$22–$32

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Michigan list

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$21.00High$24

19 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Michigan, 9 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 19 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant - Entry levelPermanent
    $20.00–$22.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Grandville, MI · posted 3 days ago
  2. Dental AssistantPermanent
    $21.00–$25.00/ hour
    Aspen Dental · Marquette, MI · posted 7 days ago

+ 17 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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