How Much Do Dentists Make a Year
The average Dental Assistant salary in Illinois sits at $39,292 per year as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $34,874 and $43,444. Salary ranges can vary largely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. There are certain work environments that pay dental assistants a higher wage.
Evaluating Career Paths to Decide How Much a Dentist Can Make
When evaluating career options as a dental assistant, there are three main categories that you can choose from. These include private practice, military services, and public health. Each of these comes with their own related salary ranges that again can be influenced by a variety of factors.
One of the most lucrative and widely prevailing options for dental assistants comes through private practice dentist jobs. This option calls for the dentistry practice at independent dental clinics, retirement homes, or cosmetic clinics for services like teeth whitening, among other alternatives. Dental assistants may also work in surgical practices such as orthodontics or periodontics, which can also command higher salaries. Depending on your level of education and experience, you can make up to $105, 933 a year working in private practice roles in Illinois. Job roles may be less varied and come with higher price tags for clients but can garner you a higher salary, work in more specialized fields, and potentially better benefits and perks, depending on your employer.
Another option which you might consider working as a dental assistant in is the military, where salaries can reach up to 269,943 a year, as a government employee. There are also added benefits that you won’t find in private careers, such as possible paid education, signing bonuses, and increases based on your rank. Additionally, you can receive basic military training and the opportunity for specialty and advanced training in areas such as field dental support and emergency dental support. As a military dental assistant, you may work either in a military dental clinic, or a mobile unit if in the field with your unit, which you should take into consideration before accepting a position.
Finally, you can also pursue a career in public health, which can include a variety of possible job descriptions. You can provide dental assistant services in a public health facility, low-income neighborhoods, hospitals, or in schools. You can also pursue a career as an educator, either in public services or at post-secondary institutions like Cestar College. There are also opportunities available as a research assistant to help discover new technologies or methods that can be used in the field and improve all related services. Similarly, to military careers, salaries can range higher than average a year. While less than potential salaries in private practice, there are a wide variety of opportunities in public health that may be more rewarding or engaging.
Is There Demand for a Dental Assistant Career?
Because people in dental assisting roles are so essential to running a dentistry practice, all these types of careers are always in demand and rewarding. Most dentists are too busy to tackle administrative tasks, exam prep or teeth cleaning, making dental assisting roles so important.
If you’re interested in becoming a dental assistant, the demand for this career is sure to grow as better technology is developed for crafting dental prosthetics.
However, with any potential career path, salary can largely be affected by your experience level and education. The salary ranges outlined here are all averages but can fluctuate depending on the factors mentioned in the beginning. In order to be prepared for your new career and set yourself up for success, you’ll want to ensure you have the best possible education, which you can find at Illinois Dental Career.
