PermanentPosted 9 days ago
Dental Assistant - Entry Level
Aspen Dental · Rochester, MN
$22.00–$23.00/ hour
Dental Assistant jobs in Rochester, MN
Pay for dental assistants in the Rochester area centers on $30.29 per hour, or about $62,990 a year. The lower quarter earns under $29.08 and the upper quarter over $31.32. That ranks 3rd of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 1st of 339 once local prices are factored in. 1 open role with published pay is listed for Rochester. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Rochester.
- $30.29median pay per hour, Rochester
- $29–$31typical range per hour
- 290dental assistants employed in the metro area
- 1open roles with published pay
Open Dental Assistant roles in Rochester
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Get my free pay reportDental Assistant pay in Rochester, MN
The metro median is 3% 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 Rochester metro area, 2.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.97).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $22.82 | $47,470 | in line with U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $29.08 | $60,490 | 28% above U.S. median |
| Median | $30.29 | $62,990 | 33% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $31.32 | $65,150 | 38% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $33.85 | $70,410 | 49% above U.S. median |
How Rochester ranks
- 3rd of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 1st of 339 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd 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 Rochester
- Overall prices in Rochester run 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 78.6).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $30.29 median hour buys what $33.35 buys at the national price level, 47% 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 Rochester paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,090
- Per year: $54,522
- Per month: $4,544
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Rochester metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Olmsted County
HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Olmsted County (4 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville, MN | 60 mi | $31.42/hr | 77,971 |
| Apple Valley, MN | 62 mi | $31.42/hr | 55,272 |
| La Crosse, WI | 64 mi | $23.13/hr | 51,049 |
| Eagan, MN | 65 mi | $31.42/hr | 67,240 |
| Burnsville, MN | 65 mi | $31.42/hr | 64,864 |
| Woodbury, MN | 65 mi | $31.42/hr | 80,596 |
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.
Other healthcare roles in Rochester
Rochester city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental assistants make in Rochester, MN?
Dental Assistants in the Rochester metro area have a median pay of $30.29 per hour, about $62,990 a year. The middle half earn between $29.08 and $31.32 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Rochester a good place for dental assistants once cost of living is counted?
Rochester ranks 1st of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 3rd of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.
Who is hiring dental assistants in Rochester?
We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in Rochester. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Rochester.
Do I need a Minnesota license to work in Rochester 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 Rochester in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 4 active dental health shortage designations that include Olmsted 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 Rochester?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Rochester and across Minnesota. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Rochester.
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What do employers near Rochester 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.
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80+ Dental Assistant roles in Minnesota, 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 reportRochester, 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
- Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent$25.00–$32.00/ hour
- Dental Assistant (with RDA)Permanent$26.00–$29.00/ hour
+ 10 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.