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

Bobbiann Mariano

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,576

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,576
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,576
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Bloomfield
Work county: San Juan
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,576
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,878
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350115045
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Bobbiann Mariano serves as a Dental Assistant based in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $39,576. They are classified at grade 05.

Kari Ceasar

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,398

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,398
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): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kari Ceasar is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawrence, Kansas. 2024 total compensation came to $39,398. They are classified at grade 03.

Rolaine Smallcanyon

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Shiprock
Work county: San Juan
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350745045
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rolaine Smallcanyon works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Shiprock, New Mexico. Rolaine earned $39,236 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Angela Anderson

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Claremore
Work county: Rogers
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 400990131
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Angela Anderson serves as a Dental Assistant based in Claremore, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $39,236. They are classified at grade 04.

Jason Contos

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Lawton
Work county: Comanche
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 402750031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jason Contos works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawton, Oklahoma. Jason earned $39,236 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Leonna Laclaire

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Wagner
Work county: Charles Mix
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462800023
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Leonna Laclaire is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Wagner, South Dakota. 2024 total compensation came to $39,236. They are classified at grade 04.

Toni Nauni

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Anadarko
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 400160015
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Toni Nauni works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Toni earned $39,236 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Janeen Nez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Polacca
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040382017
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Janeen Nez works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Polacca, Arizona. Janeen earned $39,236 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Willena Reed

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Crow Agency
Work county: Big Horn
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300285003
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Willena Reed serves as a Dental Assistant based in Crow Agency, Montana. Their 2024 pay totaled $39,236. They are classified at grade 04.

Charity Thom

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,236

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,236
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,236
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,236
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,307
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Charity Thom holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Kayenta, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $39,236. Their pay grade is 04.

Cindi Madrigal

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$39,095

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $39,095
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $39,095
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Lame Deer
Work county: Rosebud
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $39,095
Basic Pay (before locality): $30,571
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300695087
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Cindi Madrigal works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Lame Deer, Montana. Cindi earned $39,095 in 2024. Their pay grade is 03.

Blanca Moreno

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,898

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $36,398
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,898
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

Blanca Moreno is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawrence, Kansas. 2024 total compensation came to $38,898. They are classified at grade 03.

Tracey Davis

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,394

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $38,144
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $250
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,394
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Richmond
Work county: Richmond
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $38,144
Basic Pay (before locality): $31,289
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 512060760
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tracey Davis is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Richmond, Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $38,394. They are classified at grade 04.

Angelica Hiwalker

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,227

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $38,227
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,227
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Lame Deer
Work county: Rosebud
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $38,227
Basic Pay (before locality): $32,298
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300695087
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Angelica Hiwalker is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lame Deer, Montana. 2024 total compensation came to $38,227. They are classified at grade 04.

Priscilla Stanley

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,196

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $38,196
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,196
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $38,196
Basic Pay (before locality): $29,672
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Priscilla Stanley is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Kayenta, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $38,196. They are classified at grade 03.

Tristan Begay

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,196

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $38,196
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,196
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $38,196
Basic Pay (before locality): $29,672
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Tristan Begay serves as a Dental Assistant based in Kayenta, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $38,196. They are classified at grade 03.

Amber Richards

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$38,196

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $38,196
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $38,196
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $38,196
Basic Pay (before locality): $29,672
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Amber Richards serves as a Dental Assistant based in Kayenta, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $38,196. They are classified at grade 03.

Sarah Foster

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,995

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,995
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,995
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Clinton
Work county: Custer
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,995
Basic Pay (before locality): $27,124
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 401030039
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Sarah Foster serves as a Dental Assistant based in Clinton, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $37,995. They are classified at grade 02.

Sabrina Youpee

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$37,995

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $37,995
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,995
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Sisseton
Work county: Roberts
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $37,995
Basic Pay (before locality): $27,124
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462460109
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sabrina Youpee holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Sisseton, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $37,995. Their pay grade is 02.