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

Kathleen Kanaley

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$57,007

Sub-department: Administration for Strategic Preparednes
Base pay: $57,007
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $57,007
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Long Beach
Work county: Los Angeles
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $57,007
Basic Pay (before locality): $41,966
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061970037
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kathleen Kanaley works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Long Beach, California. Kathleen earned $57,007 in 2024. Their pay grade is 07.

Tania Halligan

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$56,948

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $56,948
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,948
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Salem
Work county: Marion
Work state: Oregon

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,948
Basic Pay (before locality): $45,319
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tania Halligan holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Salem, Oregon. In 2024, their total compensation was $56,948. Their pay grade is 06.

Raylene Dixon

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$56,834

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $56,834
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,834
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,834
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Raylene Dixon works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Phoenix, Arizona. Raylene earned $56,834 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Beatrice Davis

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$56,834

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $56,834
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,834
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Phoenix
Work county: Maricopa
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,834
Basic Pay (before locality): $46,578
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040370013
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Beatrice Davis is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Phoenix, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $56,834. They are classified at grade 06.

Barbara Smith

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$56,472

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $56,472
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $56,472
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Gallup
Work county: Mckinley
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $56,472
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350340031
Length of Service (Years): 22
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Barbara Smith holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Gallup, New Mexico. In 2024, their total compensation was $56,472. Their pay grade is 06.

Bernadine Herrera

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Kyle
Work county: Shannon
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461525113
Length of Service (Years): 23
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Bernadine Herrera serves as a Dental Assistant based in Kyle, South Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Randi Andersen

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: White Earth
Work county: Becker
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 277555005
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Randi Andersen holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in White Earth, Minnesota. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,883. Their pay grade is 06.

Marie Apple

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Kyle
Work county: Shannon
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461525113
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marie Apple holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Kyle, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,883. Their pay grade is 06.

Corena Chee

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Tsail
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040521001
Length of Service (Years): 39
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Corena Chee holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Tsail, Arizona. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,883. Their pay grade is 06.

Darlene Clinton

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Nespelem
Work county: Okanogan
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 531470047
Length of Service (Years): 20
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Darlene Clinton works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Nespelem, Washington. Darlene earned $55,883 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Teresa Jensen

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Toppenish
Work county: Yakima
Work state: Washington

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 532300077
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Teresa Jensen serves as a Dental Assistant based in Toppenish, Washington. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Clarissa Jones

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Chinle
Work county: Apache
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040083001
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Clarissa Jones is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Chinle, Arizona. 2024 total compensation came to $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Karen Kunze-Puffe

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Cass Lake
Work county: Cass
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 271100021
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Karen Kunze-Puffe is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Cass Lake, Minnesota. 2024 total compensation came to $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Celena Lee

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Shiprock
Work county: San Juan
Work state: New Mexico

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 350745045
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Celena Lee works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Shiprock, New Mexico. Celena earned $55,883 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Lena Nez

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Parker
Work county: La Paz
Work state: Arizona

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 040340012
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Lena Nez works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Health and Human Services based in Parker, Arizona. Lena earned $55,883 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Afraid Not

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Lodge Grass
Work county: Big Horn
Work state: Montana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 300760003
Length of Service (Years): 29
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Afraid Not is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Lodge Grass, Montana. 2024 total compensation came to $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Christy Tibbetts-Sovde

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Cass Lake
Work county: Cass
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 271100021
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Christy Tibbetts-Sovde holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Cass Lake, Minnesota. In 2024, their total compensation was $55,883. Their pay grade is 06.

Elk Yellow

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,883

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,883
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,883
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Wanblee
Work county: Jackson
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,883
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,837
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462833071
Length of Service (Years): 32
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elk Yellow is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Wanblee, South Dakota. 2024 total compensation came to $55,883. They are classified at grade 06.

Keiloni Richards

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,562

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,562
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,562
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Pine Ridge
Work county: Shannon
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,562
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,562
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 462165113
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Health and Human Services, Keiloni Richards serves as a Dental Assistant based in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $55,562. They are classified at grade 07.

Amanda Moran

Dental Assistant/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$55,562

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $55,562
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,562
Pay grade: 07
Work city: Cass Lake
Work county: Cass
Work state: Minnesota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $55,562
Basic Pay (before locality): $47,562
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 271100021
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amanda Moran is a Dental Assistant at Department of Health and Human Services based in Cass Lake, Minnesota. 2024 total compensation came to $55,562. They are classified at grade 07.