PayByState

Alaska · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in Alaska

Median $54,930 · Top 10% earn $74,890+ · Roughly 754 workers in Alaska. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Alaska median
$54,930
$26.41/hr
Top 10%
$74,890
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$38,410
Entry-level range
Real pay
$52,017
CoL-adjusted (RPP 105.6)

Alaska pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for dental assistants — $54,930 versus the national median of $47,350. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 754 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in Alaska

Alaska sits in the top quartile of U.S. dental assistant pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

Top-paying metros in Alaska

Alaska-area metropolitan areas with the highest dental assistant medians.

Alaska metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Anchorage, AK $56,400

Alaska ranks #5 of 50 states

Where Alaska sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Alaska
#4 New York $56,820 +$1,890
#3 District of Columbia $57,290 +$2,360
#2 Washington $57,770 +$2,840
#5 Alaska (this page) $54,930 —
#6 Minnesota $54,450 −$480
#7 Oregon $53,980 −$950
#8 Massachusetts $53,510 −$1,420
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Alaska

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the Alaska median of $54,930, payback periods are typically 0.5 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Alaska selected.

Dental Assistant salary in Alaska — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in Alaska?
The median dental assistant salary in Alaska is $54,930 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $38,410; the top 10% earn $74,890 or more. About 754 people work in this role across the state.
How does Alaska dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
Alaska's median of $54,930 is $7,580 above the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 105.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $52,017.
Where does Alaska pay dental assistants the most?
Top-paying metros in Alaska include Anchorage at $56,400. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is dental assistant a good career in Alaska?
On the data: Alaska employs roughly 754 dental assistants, with a median wage of $54,930 and the top decile clearing $74,890. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in Alaska?
At the Alaska median of $54,930 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $26.41/hr. The top 10% earn around $36.00/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $18.47/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Alaska-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Alaska's RPP is 105.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.