National Entry Level Dental Assistant

Median Annual Income

$77,909

Projected Job Growth

+9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

Median Annual Income

$54,273

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Median Annual Income

$42,156

Projected Job Growth

+19 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Associate's degree

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

Median Annual Income

$41,540

Projected Job Growth

+14 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.

Median Annual Income

$45,780

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Median Annual Income

$52,138

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

Median Annual Income

$35,667

Projected Job Growth

+3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Under close supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing the patient and the treatment area.

Median Annual Income

$42,132

Projected Job Growth

+15 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Median Annual Income

$49,166

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Maintain a sterile field to provide support for physicians and nurses during endoscopy procedures. Prepare and maintain instruments and equipment. May obtain specimens.

Median Annual Income

$47,530

Projected Job Growth

-4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

Median Annual Income

$

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Healthcare & Human Services

Most Common Education Level

Postsecondary certificate

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.