Dental Assistant in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Minnesota employs 5,980 dental assistants, with a statewide median of $65,270 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Dental assistants Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $65,270 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $46,960
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $74,410
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $76,110
- Employed in Minnesota
- 5,980
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $43,610 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for dental assistants in major Minnesota markets:
- Minneapolis
- $72,370 (3,910 employed)
- Rochester
- $63,450 (320 employed)
- St. Cloud
- $61,000 (270 employed)
- Duluth
- $59,390 (310 employed)
- Fargo
- $56,940 (330 employed)
- Sioux Falls
- $48,890 (450 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $65,270 median stretches to roughly $66,197 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)
Minnesota is projected to grow dental assistants employment +9.1%, faster than the +6.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 820 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
Basic Dental Assistant (unlicensed) or Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
- You can start as a basic, unlicensed dental assistant in Minnesota.
- To perform expanded duties, become a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA): complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and meet the Board's exam requirements.
- LDAs can add a Collaborative Practice authorization for additional settings/duties.
Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Dentistry →
Training in Minnesota
Minnesota is notable for its LDA credential — getting licensed quickly raises your duties and pay. Many start chairside, then complete an LDA program.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:
- Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Certificate / Associate
- Century College — Certificate / Associate
- Dakota County Technical College — Certificate / Associate
- Hennepin Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want a fast entry into healthcare and enjoy working closely with patients in a clinical environment.
Think twice if: Sitting in a dental operatory all day, exposure to dental materials, or a pay ceiling that's hard to break through sounds limiting.
Why it's resilient: Dental assisting involves chairside patient care, instrument handling, and real-time clinical support that requires physical presence in the operatory.
First Steps
Check whether your state requires a formal program or allows on-the-job training — requirements vary significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental assistants make in Minnesota?
The median wage for dental assistants in Minnesota is $65,270 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,960, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,110. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Dental Assistant in Minnesota?
Basic Dental Assistant (unlicensed) or Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA), overseen by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. You can start as a basic, unlicensed dental assistant in Minnesota.
Is being a Dental Assistant a good career in Minnesota?
Dental assisting involves chairside patient care, instrument handling, and real-time clinical support that requires physical presence in the operatory.
Which Minnesota metros pay dental assistants the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $72,370, followed by Rochester ($63,450), St. Cloud ($61,000). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Dental Assistant in Minnesota?
Real Minnesota options include Central Lakes College-Brainerd, Century College, Dakota County Technical College. Most dental assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Dental Assistant a growing career in Minnesota?
Minnesota projects dental assistants employment to change +9.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 820 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9091. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Board of Dentistry (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Minnesota wages · Minnesota licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.