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

Ana Rodriguez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,691

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,691
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,691
Pay grade: 03
Work city: Fort Hall
Work county: Bingham
Work state: Idaho

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,691
Basic Pay (before locality): $34,167
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 160535011
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ana Rodriguez is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Fort Hall, Idaho. 2024 total compensation came to $42,691. They are classified at grade 03.

Amy Gomez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,445

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,445
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,445
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Watonga
Work county: Blaine
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,445
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,334
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 405020011
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Gomez holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Watonga, Oklahoma. In 2024, their total compensation was $42,445. Their pay grade is 04.

Shaena Debartolo

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Lawton
Work county: Comanche
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 402750031
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Shaena Debartolo is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawton, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Sara Chapman

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Pawnee
Work county: Pawnee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403690117
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sara Chapman is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Pawnee, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Francelita Danny

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Lawton
Work county: Comanche
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 402750031
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Francelita Danny holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 2024, their total compensation was $42,214. Their pay grade is 05.

Deja Nez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Shiprock
Work county: San Juan
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350745045
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Deja Nez serves as a Dental Assistant based in Shiprock, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Summer Oldman

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Fort Washakie
Work county: Fremont
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560295013
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Summer Oldman serves as a Dental Assistant based in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Their 2024 pay totaled $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Chelsea Pahe

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Teec Nos Pos
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040495001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Chelsea Pahe works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. Chelsea earned $42,214 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Kristine Vanderplaats

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: White Earth
Work county: Becker
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 277555005
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kristine Vanderplaats works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in White Earth, Minnesota. Kristine earned $42,214 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Kayla Vasquez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Pawnee
Work county: Pawnee
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 403690117
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Kayla Vasquez serves as a Dental Assistant based in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Tilda Walsey

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Toppenish
Work county: Yakima
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 532300077
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Tilda Walsey serves as a Dental Assistant based in Toppenish, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $42,214. They are classified at grade 05.

Ashley Yazzie-Begay

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$42,214

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $42,214
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $42,214
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Tsail
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $42,214
Basic Pay (before locality): $36,136
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040521001
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ashley Yazzie-Begay holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Tsail, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $42,214. Their pay grade is 05.

Rickenda Hall

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,895

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $40,895
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,895
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Wewoka
Work county: Seminole
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $40,895
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,007
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 405160133
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rickenda Hall is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Wewoka, Oklahoma. 2024 total compensation came to $41,895. They are classified at grade 05.

Terisha Chuyate

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,701

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,701
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Zuni
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,701
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,325
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350880031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Terisha Chuyate serves as a Dental Assistant based in Zuni, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $41,701. They are classified at grade 04.

Kimberly Yamutewa

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,701

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,701
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,701
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Zuni
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,701
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,325
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350880031
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Kimberly Yamutewa serves as a Dental Assistant based in Zuni, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $41,701. They are classified at grade 04.

Latisha Francisco

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,338

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,338
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,338
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,338
Basic Pay (before locality): $33,878
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Latisha Francisco works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Phoenix, Arizona. Latisha earned $41,338 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Samantha Nelson

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,326

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,326
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,326
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Crownpoint
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,326
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,007
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350215031
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Samantha Nelson works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Crownpoint, New Mexico. Samantha earned $41,326 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Tiana Chapoose

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,267

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,267
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,267
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Fort Duchesne
Work county: Uintah
Work state: Utah

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,267
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,325
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 490507047
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tiana Chapoose works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Tiana earned $41,267 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Ruby Francis

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,267

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,267
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,267
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Pinon
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,267
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,325
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040381017
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Ruby Francis works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Pinon, Arizona. Ruby earned $41,267 in 2024. Their pay grade is 04.

Sharley Spang

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$41,267

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $41,267
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $41,267
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Lame Deer
Work county: Rosebud
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $41,267
Basic Pay (before locality): $35,325
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300695087
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sharley Spang is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lame Deer, Montana. 2024 total compensation came to $41,267. They are classified at grade 04.