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

Selena Black

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,588

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,588
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,588
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,588
Basic Pay (before locality): $39,024
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Selena Black serves as a Dental Assistant based in Kayenta, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,588. They are classified at grade 06.

Petra Medicinecrow

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,588

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,588
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,588
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Kayenta
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,588
Basic Pay (before locality): $39,024
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040253017
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Petra Medicinecrow serves as a Dental Assistant based in Kayenta, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,588. They are classified at grade 06.

Dianne Miller

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Dianne Miller holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Gallup, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,324. Their pay grade is 05.

Michelle Canyon

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Michelle Canyon serves as a Dental Assistant based in Gallup, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,324. They are classified at grade 05.

Candice Tso

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Candice Tso serves as a Dental Assistant based in Gallup, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,324. They are classified at grade 05.

Kellynn Yazzie

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Thoreau
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350804031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Kellynn Yazzie serves as a Dental Assistant based in Thoreau, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $45,324. They are classified at grade 05.

Jessica Young

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Young holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Gallup, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $45,324. Their pay grade is 05.

Misty Saltwater

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,324

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,324
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,324
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,324
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Misty Saltwater works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Gallup, New Mexico. Misty earned $45,324 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jennie Reano

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$45,275

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $45,275
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,275
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Santa Fe
Work county: Santa Fe
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $45,275
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,352
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350710049
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennie Reano is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $45,275. They are classified at grade 04.

Tail Bull

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,852

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,852
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Crow Agency
Work county: Big Horn
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300285003
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tail Bull works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Crow Agency, Montana. Tail earned $44,852 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Anna Hanley

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,852

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,852
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Chinle
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040083001
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Anna Hanley holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Chinle, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,852. Their pay grade is 05.

Hand Left

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,852

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,852
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Crow Agency
Work county: Big Horn
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300285003
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Hand Left serves as a Dental Assistant based in Crow Agency, Montana. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,852. They are classified at grade 05.

Valerie Plainbull

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,852

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,852
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Crow Agency
Work county: Big Horn
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300285003
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Valerie Plainbull serves as a Dental Assistant based in Crow Agency, Montana. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,852. They are classified at grade 05.

Delaine Tawahongva

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,852

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,852
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,852
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Polacca
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,852
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,394
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040382017
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Delaine Tawahongva serves as a Dental Assistant based in Polacca, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,852. They are classified at grade 05.

Alexis Bonnet

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,803

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,803
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Parker
Work county: La Paz
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,352
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040340012
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alexis Bonnet holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Parker, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,803. Their pay grade is 04.

Tatiana Lafferty

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,803

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,803
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Rapid City
Work county: Pennington
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,352
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462250103
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tatiana Lafferty holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $44,803. Their pay grade is 04.

Samantha Ami

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$44,803

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $44,803
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $44,803
Pay grade: 04
Work city: Polacca
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $44,803
Basic Pay (before locality): $38,352
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040382017
Length of Service (Years): 18
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Samantha Ami serves as a Dental Assistant based in Polacca, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $44,803. They are classified at grade 04.