Career comparison
Medical assistant vs. Dental assistant
Dental assistants earn more: a median of $48,070, $2,380 (5%) above medical assistants at $45,690.
Medical assistants have the stronger outlook: +13% projected growth through 2035, vs. +7%.
At a glance
| Medical assistant | Dental assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,690 | $48,070 |
| Top 10% earn over | $59,310 | $62,250 |
| Growth to 2035 | +13% | +7% |
| Openings per year | 109,700 | 53,000 |
| Jobs today | 833,900 | 388,600 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Time to qualify* | 10 months | 10 months |
| Training cost* | $3K–$15K | $4K–$15K |
* Starting from a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35.
Pay
Medical assistant
Dental assistant
Switching from one to the other
Set your education and current pay. The calculator lays out the path, what it costs, and the year it starts paying off.
Medical assistantDental assistant
Loading the calculator…
Getting in
Medical assistant
- Entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: CMA or RMA certification (optional, most employers prefer)
Dental assistant
- Entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Required: Radiography certificate in many states · DANB CDA (optional, raises pay)
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Medical assistant: 17% usually work over 40 hours a weekDental assistant: 1% usually work over 40 hours a week
Medical assistant: core tasks
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
- Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
Dental assistant: core tasks
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Skills: what carries over
Both rely on: Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring.
New for a medical assistant moving to dental assistant: Instructing.
New for a dental assistant moving to medical assistant: Coordination.
Interests (Holland codes): Medical assistant: Conventional, Social, Realistic. Dental assistant: Conventional, Realistic, Social.
Outlook to 2035, and AI
Medical assistant
+13%
faster than average · 109,700 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Dental assistant
+7%
faster than average · 53,000 openings a year
BLS lists no specific factors, including AI, changing demand for this job.
Quoted notes: BLS Employment Projections, factors affecting occupational utilization (Table 1.12). Average growth across all jobs: +3.5%.
Questions people ask
Who makes more, a medical assistant or a dental assistant?
Dental assistants earn more: a median of $48,070, $2,380 (5%) above medical assistants at $45,690.
Which has the better job outlook?
Medical assistants have the stronger outlook: +13% projected growth through 2035, vs. +7%.
How long does it take to become a dental assistant?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 10 months, with tuition of roughly $4,000 to $15,000. Required: Radiography certificate in many states, DANB CDA (optional, raises pay).
How long does it take to become a medical assistant?
For someone with a bachelor's degree in another field, about 10 months, with tuition of roughly $3,000 to $15,000. Required: CMA or RMA certification (optional, most employers prefer).