Dental assistant salary in Rhode Island
The median dental assistant in Rhode Island earns $50,150 a year (about $24.11 an hour); the mean is $52,790. That is $2,080 (4%) above the US median of $48,070, and ranks 13 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| Rhode Island | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $50,150 | $48,070 |
| Mean annual wage | $52,790 | $50,200 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $24.11 | $23.11 |
| Employed | 1,050 | 387,790 |
Dental assistants work alongside dentists: chairside help, instruments, patient comfort, and in many states radiographs and other expanded duties.
How Rhode Island compares with nearby ranks
States closest to Rhode Island in the dental assistant median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $53,970 |
| Vermont | $52,760 | $54,550 |
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $51,510 |
| California | $50,110 | $54,710 |
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $52,940 |
| Arizona | $49,000 | $50,280 |
See the full state ranking for dental assistants.
Other dental roles in Rhode Island
- Dental hygienist salary in Rhode IslandMedian $86,910
- General dentist salary in Rhode IslandMedian $161,560
More for Rhode Island
Dental jobs · add your own number anonymously · dental practices for sale in Rhode Island
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in Rhode Island?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in Rhode Island is $50,150 (about $24.11 an hour) and the mean is $52,790, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does Rhode Island compare with the national figure?
The Rhode Island median is $2,080 (4%) above the national median of $48,070. It ranks 13 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental assistants.
How many dental assistants work in Rhode Island?
BLS estimates 1,050 employed dental assistants in Rhode Island in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.