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

Tamara Antone

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,040

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $49,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,040
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Tohatchi
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,040
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350807031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Tamara Antone serves as a Dental Assistant based in Tohatchi, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $49,040. They are classified at grade 06.

Jessica Borroel

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,040

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $49,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,040
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,040
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Borroel works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jessica earned $49,040 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Lisa Morgan

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,040

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $49,040
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,040
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,040
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lisa Morgan is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Gallup, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $49,040. They are classified at grade 06.

Brandi Carlson

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Rose Hill
Work county: Butler
Work state: Kansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 204788015
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Brandi Carlson holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Rose Hill, Kansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $49,025. Their pay grade is 07.

Katherine Davies

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: North Fort Myers
Work county: Lee
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122218071
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Davies holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in North Fort Myers, Florida. In 2024, their total compensation was $49,025. Their pay grade is 07.

Candice Downs

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Savannah
Work county: Chatham
Work state: Georgia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 134910051
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Candice Downs works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Savannah, Georgia. Candice earned $49,025 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Clavel Gagnon

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Dry Fork
Work county: Pittsylvania
Work state: Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 510787143
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Clavel Gagnon holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Dry Fork, Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $49,025. Their pay grade is 07.

Jennifer Grier

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Moncks Corner
Work county: Berkeley
Work state: South Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 451680015
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jennifer Grier is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. 2024 total compensation came to $49,025. They are classified at grade 07.

Heidi Hansknecht

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Green Cove Springs
Work county: Clay
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121200019
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Heidi Hansknecht serves as a Dental Assistant based in Green Cove Springs, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $49,025. They are classified at grade 07.

Amanda Pasquet

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Winston Salem
Work county: Forsyth
Work state: North Carolina

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 375120067
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amanda Pasquet works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Amanda earned $49,025 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Patricia Potyczka

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$49,025

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $49,025
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $49,025
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Traverse City
Work county: Grand Traverse
Work state: Michigan

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $49,025
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 264880055
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Patricia Potyczka serves as a Dental Assistant based in Traverse City, Michigan. Their 2024 pay totaled $49,025. They are classified at grade 07.

Tina Beebe

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: White Swan
Work county: Yakima
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 532507077
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tina Beebe works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in White Swan, Washington. Tina earned $48,809 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Jeremy Harris

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Fort Washakie
Work county: Fremont
Work state: Wyoming

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 560295013
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jeremy Harris works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Jeremy earned $48,809 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Coyote Little

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Lame Deer
Work county: Rosebud
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300695087
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Coyote Little works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Lame Deer, Montana. Coyote earned $48,809 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Delena Panana

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Clinton
Work county: Custer
Work state: Oklahoma

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 401030039
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Delena Panana serves as a Dental Assistant based in Clinton, Oklahoma. Their 2024 pay totaled $48,809. They are classified at grade 05.

Taree Stewart

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Parker
Work county: La Paz
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040340012
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Taree Stewart holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Parker, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $48,809. Their pay grade is 05.

Terry Yazzie

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,809

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,809
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,809
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Many Farms
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,809
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,781
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040278001
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Terry Yazzie serves as a Dental Assistant based in Many Farms, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $48,809. They are classified at grade 05.

Gail Ivins

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,529

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,529
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Cibecue
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,529
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040085017
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Gail Ivins serves as a Dental Assistant based in Cibecue, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $48,529. They are classified at grade 06.

Kandace Declay

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,529

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,529
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Whiteriver
Work county: Navajo
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,529
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040565017
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kandace Declay is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Whiteriver, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $48,529. They are classified at grade 06.

Michelle Kenneth

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,529

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,529
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Shiprock
Work county: San Juan
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,529
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350745045
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Michelle Kenneth is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Shiprock, New Mexico. 2024 total compensation came to $48,529. They are classified at grade 06.

Sydney Netland

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,529

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,529
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Cass Lake
Work county: Cass
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,529
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 271100021
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Sydney Netland is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Cass Lake, Minnesota. 2024 total compensation came to $48,529. They are classified at grade 06.

Tail Wolf

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,529

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,529
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,529
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Browning
Work county: Glacier
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,529
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,542
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300170035
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Tail Wolf serves as a Dental Assistant based in Browning, Montana. Their 2024 pay totaled $48,529. They are classified at grade 06.

Diana Dodson

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$48,226

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $48,226
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $48,226
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $48,226
Basic Pay (before locality): $39,523
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Diana Dodson works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Phoenix, Arizona. Diana earned $48,226 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Teresa Kohart

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$47,990

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $47,490
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,990
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Sisseton
Work county: Roberts
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,490
Basic Pay (before locality): $40,652
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462460109
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Teresa Kohart works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Sisseton, South Dakota. Teresa earned $47,990 in 2024. Their pay grade is 05.

Todd Barney

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$47,990

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $47,990
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,990
Pay grade: 05
Work city: Albuquerque
Work county: Bernalillo
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,990
Basic Pay (before locality): $40,652
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350030001
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Todd Barney serves as a Dental Assistant based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their 2024 pay totaled $47,990. They are classified at grade 05.

Danielle Yazzie

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$47,617

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $47,617
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,617
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $47,617
Basic Pay (before locality): $39,024
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Danielle Yazzie serves as a Dental Assistant based in Phoenix, Arizona. Their 2024 pay totaled $47,617. They are classified at grade 06.