How to become a Dental Assistant in Minnesota
It is a great time to be thinking about training to become a dental assistant in Minnesota (MN) given the strong jobs growth in the sector.
With over 5,600 dental assistants already employed in the state the Bureau for Labor Statistics also predicts that the number of dental assisting jobs in the USA will grow by a massive 19% between 2016 and 2026.
In order to become a dental assistant in the USA many states will require you to graduate from an accredited program and to pass additional state level or national certification exams. Find out more about becoming a dental assistant in Minnesota below.
13 Accredited Dental Assistant Programs in Minnesota
| School | Area | Accrediting Body | Next Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Technical College | Bemidji | CODA | 2021 |
| Central Lakes College | Brainerd | CODA | 2019 |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Canby | CODA | 2023 |
| Hennepin Technical College | Eden Prarie | CODA | 2019 |
| Hibbing Community College | Hibbing | CODA | 2020 |
| Minneapolis Community & Technical College | Minneapolis | CODA | 2019 |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Moorhead | CODA | 2022 |
| South Central College | North Mankato | CODA | 2023 |
| Rochester Community & Technical College | Rochester | CODA | 2019 |
| Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount | CODA | 2023 |
| St. Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | CODA | 2021 |
| Century College | White Bear Lake | CODA | 2020 |
Listed above are the top 13 CODA accredited dental assistant schools in Minnesota.
For more options you can also view all DANB accredited programs.
Click on the ‘Request Information’ link for each school and enter your details to receive information on their dentistry programs and admissions data.
You can also view results for schools offering Dental Assisting programs in Minnesota and surrounding states on the map below.
Minnesota Dental Assistant License Requirements
Once you have graduated from an accredited program it is required by Minnesota law that you obtain a license to work as a dental assistant there. The Minnesota Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental assistants in Minnesota. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
Phone: (612) 617-2250
Website: http://mn.gov/boards/dentistry/
Dental Assistant Salary in Minnesota
| State | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,770 |
| Hourly Wage | $23.45 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $62,430 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $37,270 |
| #'s Employed | 5,630 |
The average Dental Assistant salary in Minnesota is $48,770 – 29.6% above the national average.
This represents an hourly wage of $23.45.
There are currently 5,630 persons employed as dental assistants in the state.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental assistants across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Minnesota;
| Area | Salary | # Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area, MN | $46,340 | 130 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $50,610 | 3,650 |
| Rochester, MN | $49,970 | 300 |
| Mankato-North Mankato, MN | $48,050 | 120 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $45,690 | 260 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $43,980 | 270 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $44,140 | 250 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $42,300 | 400 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $46,020 | 250 |
*Updated May 2018 to allow for the most recent BLS data released in March 2018.
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Minnesota
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment for dental assistants with related healthcare careers in Minnesota;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | 5,520 | $44,220 |
| Dental Hygienists | 4,620 | $71,010 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 1,400 | $75,610 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 7,290 | $33,520 |
| Surgical Technologists | 2,040 | $51,100 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 2,570 | $34,020 |
| Nursing Assistants | 31,570 | $28,670 |
| Medical Assistants | 8,730 | $36,200 |
| Phlebotomists | 1,700 | $35,250 |