U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Health and Human Services / Dental Assistant

Job-title file

Dental Assistant

Diagnose and treat patients, direct clinical care, and supervise other medical staff.

384 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $50,127, below the department median of $129,759.

Employees: 384
Total payroll: $19.1M
Role median: $50,127
Agency median: $129,759
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$34,803$66,702+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 384 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Dental Assistant pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Dental Assistants — about 387,790 people — is $48,070. Department of Health and Human Services pays a median base salary of $50,127 for this role, 4% above that figure — about the 55th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Health and Human Services sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$37,130

$44,340

$48,070

$58,090

$62,250

Department of Health and Human Services median · $50,127

The bar is the range of annual wages for Dental Assistants across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Health and Human Services’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 383 of 384 people in this role paid at least $25,000in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Health and Human Services is $50,127, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Dental Assistant is held in 4 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Health and Human Services, the median of $50,127 ranks #3 of 4.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Homeland Security

$60,406 · 1

Department of Veterans Affairs

$57,191 · 1,922

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$49,025 · 1

Median total compensation for the Dental Assistant role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Dental Assistant beyond U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

This role is reported in 12 jurisdictions. In U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense), the median of $55,883 ranks #5 of 12. See Dental Assistant across all of U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

$97,088 · 41

$64,736 · 30

$64,500 · 11

$59,185 · 45

$51,118 · 43

$44,393 · 16

$43,798 · 24

$39,350 · 102

Median total compensation for comparable Dental Assistantroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Payten Coursey

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,399

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,399
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,399
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Wewoka
Work county: Seminole
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,399
Basic Pay (before locality): $26,129
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 405160133
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Payten Coursey serves as a Dental Assistant based in Wewoka, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $37,399. They are classified at grade 02.

Kerri Merdanian

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,399

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,399
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,399
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Wewoka
Work county: Seminole
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,399
Basic Pay (before locality): $26,129
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 405160133
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kerri Merdanian is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Wewoka, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $37,399. They are classified at grade 02.

Marylou Malatare

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Browning
Work county: Glacier
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300170035
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marylou Malatare works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Browning, Montana. Marylou earned $37,297 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Claire Mcspadden

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Claremore
Work county: Rogers
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 400990131
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Claire Mcspadden works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Claremore, Oklahoma. Claire earned $37,297 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Selena Roman

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Browning
Work county: Glacier
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300170035
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Selena Roman works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Browning, Montana. Selena earned $37,297 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Elias Lowry

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: White Earth
Work county: Becker
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 277555005
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Elias Lowry serves as a Dental Assistant based in White Earth, Minnesota. Their 2024 pay totaled $37,297. They are classified at grade 03.

Nizhoni Childs

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pawnee
Work county: Pawnee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403690117
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nizhoni Childs is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Pawnee, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $37,297. They are classified at grade 03.

Evanne Pratt

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pawnee
Work county: Pawnee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403690117
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Evanne Pratt holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Pawnee, Oklahoma. In 2024, their total compensation was $37,297. Their pay grade is 03.

Emily Sells

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Claremore
Work county: Rogers
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 400990131
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Emily Sells works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Claremore, Oklahoma. Emily earned $37,297 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Destiny Clifford

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,297

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,297
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,297
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Pine Ridge
Work county: Shannon
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,297
Basic Pay (before locality): $28,773
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462165113
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Destiny Clifford serves as a Dental Assistant based in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $37,297. They are classified at grade 03.

Stormi Hickman

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,218

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,218
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,218
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Pawnee
Work county: Pawnee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,218
Basic Pay (before locality): $31,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403690117
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Stormi Hickman serves as a Dental Assistant based in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $37,218. They are classified at grade 04.

Ivette Shupla

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$36,709

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,209
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,709
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Rosebud
Work county: Todd
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,209
Basic Pay (before locality): $30,280
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462335121
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ivette Shupla works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Rosebud, South Dakota. Ivette earned $36,709 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Taylor Lafontaine

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$36,398

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,398
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Belcourt
Work county: Rolette
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,398
Basic Pay (before locality): $27,874
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 380265079
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Taylor Lafontaine serves as a Dental Assistant based in Belcourt, North Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $36,398. They are classified at grade 03.

May Lafontaine

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$36,398

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,398
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Belcourt
Work county: Rolette
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,398
Basic Pay (before locality): $27,874
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 380265079
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

May Lafontaine is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Belcourt, North Dakota. 2024 total compensation came to $36,398. They are classified at grade 03.

Arlene Spottedwolf

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$36,398

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,398
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Lawrence
Work county: Douglas
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $36,398
Basic Pay (before locality): $27,874
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 203010045
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Arlene Spottedwolf holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawrence, Kansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $36,398. Their pay grade is 03.