WA · Pasco · Updated October 15, 2026

Dental Assistant jobs in Pasco, WA

Pay for dental assistants in the Pasco area centers on $23.17 per hour, or about $48,190 a year. The lower quarter earns under $22.34 and the upper quarter over $27.82. That ranks 87th of 383 U.S. metro areas for dental assistant pay, and 166th of 339 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Pasco.

Dental Assistant pay in Pasco, WA

The metro median is 15% below the Washington statewide median of $27.42 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.74 per hour. BLS counts about 510 dental assistants employed in the Kennewick-Richland metro area, 4.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.64).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$21.21$44,1207% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.34$46,4702% below U.S. median
Median$23.17$48,1902% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$27.82$57,87022% above U.S. median
Top 10%$28.92$60,15027% above U.S. median

How Pasco ranks

  • 87th of 383 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 166th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 4th of 8 Washington 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 Pasco

  • Overall prices in Kennewick-Richland run in line with the U.S. average (index 100.1, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $23.17 median hour buys what $23.15 buys at the national price level, 2% 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 Pasco, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Pasco paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$834
  • Per year: $41,706
  • Per month: $3,476
  • Washington has no state income tax on wages.

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

Open Dental Assistant roles in Washington

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

PermanentPosted 6 days ago

Dental Assistant

Smile Brands · Tacoma, WA

$25.00–$29.00/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req 39808
Top 25% payNew this week
View role

All Dental Assistant jobs in Washington

Dental Assistant salary in Washington

Dental health shortage areas in Franklin County

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Franklin County (1 population-group, 2 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
Kennewick, WA5 mi$23.17/hr86,728
Richland, WA8 mi$23.17/hr64,372
Yakima, WA72 mi$22.05/hr97,390
Spokane, WA125 mi$22.95/hr230,609
Spokane Valley, WA131 mi$22.95/hr108,267
Coeur d'Alene, ID148 mi$21.15/hr57,355

Dental Assistant jobs in Washington · Dental Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Washington

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

Washington does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Washington state guide

Other healthcare roles in Pasco

Pasco city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do dental assistants make in Pasco, WA?

Dental Assistants in the Kennewick-Richland metro area have a median pay of $23.17 per hour, about $48,190 a year. The middle half earn between $22.34 and $27.82 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Kennewick-Richland ranks 166th of 339 metro areas for dental assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 87th of 383 before adjusting. Overall prices run in line with the U.S. average.

Do I need a Washington license to work in Pasco as a dental assistant?

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

Is Pasco in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 3 active dental health shortage designations that include Franklin 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 Pasco?

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

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    Pay for your role at other employers

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    What they are offering now

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

Your Dental Assistant pay reportPasco, WA · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Smile BrandsTacoma, WA · 10 postings$27.00/ hr$19–$32
  • PDS HealthSeattle, WA · 6 postings$24.50/ hr$19–$34
  • Aspen DentalPuyallup, WA · 5 postings$22.00/ hr$19–$28

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

2What they are offering now

Low$19Median$25.00High$30

21 Dental Assistant postings with published pay in Washington, 16 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 21 Dental Assistant roles

  1. Dental Assistant in TrainingPermanent
    $21.75–$30.25/ hour
    PDS Health · Seattle, WA · posted today
  2. Specialty Dental Assistant OrthodonticsPermanent
    $24.00–$33.50/ hour
    PDS Health · Puyallup, WA · posted 6 days ago

+ 19 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
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