MN · Duluth · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Duluth, MN

Pay for dental assistants in the Duluth area centers on $28.18 per hour, or about $58,620 a year. The lower quarter earns under $23.41 and the upper quarter over $29.10. That ranks 16th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 3rd of 339 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Duluth.

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Dental Assistant pay in Duluth, MN

The metro median is 9% below the Minnesota statewide median of $31.07 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 290 dental assistants employed in the Duluth metro area, 2.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.96).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$21.27$44,2406% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$23.41$48,6903% above U.S. median
Median$28.18$58,62024% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$29.10$60,53028% above U.S. median
Top 10%$30.42$63,27034% above U.S. median

How Duluth ranks

  • 16th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 3rd of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 4 Minnesota 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 Duluth

  • Overall prices in Duluth run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 29% below the U.S. average (index 71.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $28.18 median hour buys what $31.75 buys at the national price level, 40% 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.

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Named employers near Duluth, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Duluth paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,014
  • Per year: $50,724
  • Per month: $4,227

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

Open Dental Assistant roles in Minnesota

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Duluth as they open.

PermanentPosted 9 days ago

Dental Assistant

Aspen Dental · St. Louis Park, MN

$40.00–$42.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req R2026-012575
Top 25% pay
View role

All Dental Assistant jobs in Minnesota

Dental Assistant salary in Minnesota

Dental health shortage areas in St. Louis County

HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include St. Louis County (1 geographic, 2 population-group, 6 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 25 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
Blaine, MN122 mi$31.42/hr75,172
Coon Rapids, MN124 mi$31.42/hr63,807
Brooklyn Park, MN129 mi$31.42/hr82,893
St. Cloud, MN130 mi$28.88/hr72,145
Maple Grove, MN131 mi$31.42/hr72,739
St. Paul, MN134 mi$31.42/hr307,465

Dental Assistant jobs in Minnesota · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Minnesota

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

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

Minnesota state guide

Other healthcare roles in Duluth

Duluth city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Duluth, MN?

Dental Assistants in the Duluth metro area have a median pay of $28.18 per hour, about $58,620 a year. The middle half earn between $23.41 and $29.10 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Duluth ranks 3rd of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 16th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Do I need a Minnesota license to work in Duluth as a dental assistant?

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

Is Duluth in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 9 active dental health shortage designations that include St. Louis 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 Duluth?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Duluth and across Minnesota. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Duluth.

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What do employers near Duluth pay dental assistants? Get the report.

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Dental Assistant near Duluth, MN
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Dental Assistant pay reportDuluth, MN · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Aspen DentalSt. Louis Park, MN · 5 postings$37.50/ hr$22–$42
  • Smile BrandsFaribault, MN · 3 postings$28.50/ hr$25–$35
  • PDS HealthMaple Grove, MN · 2 postings$26.12/ hr$22–$30

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$22Median$30.00High$40

12 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Minnesota, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 12 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent
    $25.00–$32.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · North Oaks, MN · posted 4 days ago
  2. Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent
    $26.00–$29.00/ hour
    Smile Brands · Faribault, MN · posted 4 days ago

+ 10 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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