U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Veterans Affairs / Dental Assistant

Job-title file

Dental Assistant

Diagnose and treat patients, direct clinical care, and supervise other medical staff.

1,922 employees hold this title in Department of Veterans Affairs. Median total compensation for the role is $57,191, below the department median of $88,751.

Employees: 1,922
Total payroll: $112.3M
Role median: $57,191
Agency median: $88,751
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$83,307+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 1,922 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 Veterans Affairs pays a median base salary of $57,191 for this role, 19% above that figure — about the 73rd percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Veterans Affairs sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$37,130

$44,340

$48,070

$58,090

$62,250

Department of Veterans Affairs median · $57,191

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 Veterans Affairs’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 1,918 of 1,922 people in this role paid at least $25,000 in 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 Veterans Affairs is $57,191, 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 Veterans Affairs, the median of $57,191 ranks #2 of 4.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Homeland Security

$60,406 · 1

Department of Health and Human Services

$50,127 · 384

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 Assistant roles 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 9

Kristi Garvey

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Jacksonville
Work county: Duval
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 121510031
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Kristi Garvey serves as a Dental Assistant based in Jacksonville, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Jayana Gibbs

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Biloxi
Work county: Harrison
Work state: Mississippi

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 280230047
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jayana Gibbs works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jayana earned $50,000 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Rosario Haro

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Amarillo
Work county: Potter
Work state: Texas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 480150375
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Rosario Haro works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Amarillo, Texas. Rosario earned $50,000 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Victoria Hay

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Lexington
Work county: Fayette
Work state: Kentucky

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 211980067
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Victoria Hay serves as a Dental Assistant based in Lexington, Kentucky. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Colleen Grossbohlin

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Bay Pines
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 120185103
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Colleen Grossbohlin works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Bay Pines, Florida. Colleen earned $50,000 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Deana Kleindl

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Fargo
Work county: Cass
Work state: North Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 381020017
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Deana Kleindl holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Fargo, North Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,000. Their pay grade is 06.

Mary Livengood

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Lincoln
Work county: Lancaster
Work state: Nebraska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 312830109
Length of Service (Years): 1
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mary Livengood holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,000. Their pay grade is 06.

Zorana Martinez

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Winter Park
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 123310095
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Zorana Martinez is a Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Winter Park, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Sharlyn Moore

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Tampa
Work county: Hillsborough
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122950057
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Sharlyn Moore serves as a Dental Assistant based in Tampa, Florida. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Yadira Ohrmund

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Hot Springs
Work county: Fall River
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461360047
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Yadira Ohrmund holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Hot Springs, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,000. Their pay grade is 06.

Zulmairym Ortiz-Santiago

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: San Juan
Work state: No Data Reported

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: RQ0930000
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Zulmairym Ortiz-Santiago works as a Dental Assistant for Department of Veterans Affairs based in San Juan, No Data Reported. Zulmairym earned $50,000 in 2024. Their pay grade is 06.

Karrie Pierce

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 051310143
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Karrie Pierce serves as a Dental Assistant based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Jessica Pires

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Bay Pines
Work county: Pinellas
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 120185103
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jessica Pires is a Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Bay Pines, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Kayla Reider

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Clarksburg
Work county: Harrison
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 540540033
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kayla Reider holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Clarksburg, West Virginia. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,000. Their pay grade is 06.

Jennifer Rhodes

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 051310143
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Jennifer Rhodes serves as a Dental Assistant based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Genao Rodriguez

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Orlando
Work county: Orange
Work state: Florida

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 122360095
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Genao Rodriguez is a Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Orlando, Florida. 2024 total compensation came to $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Christy Sheldon

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: North Little Rock
Work county: Pulaski
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 052880119
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Christy Sheldon serves as a Dental Assistant based in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Marisela Short

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Knoxville
Work county: Knox
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471300093
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Marisela Short serves as a Dental Assistant based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their 2024 pay totaled $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Wendy Simpson

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Huntington
Work county: Wayne
Work state: West Virginia

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 541270099
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Wendy Simpson is a Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Huntington, West Virginia. 2024 total compensation came to $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.

Mckenzie Vrba

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Lincoln
Work county: Lancaster
Work state: Nebraska

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 312830109
Length of Service (Years): 3
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Mckenzie Vrba holds the role of Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2024, their total compensation was $50,000. Their pay grade is 06.

Tonja Wynn

Dental Assistant/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$50,000

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $50,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $50,000
Pay grade: 06
Work city: Memphis
Work county: Shelby
Work state: Tennessee

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $50,000
Basic Pay (before locality): $42,801
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 471620157
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0681
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tonja Wynn is a Dental Assistant at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Memphis, Tennessee. 2024 total compensation came to $50,000. They are classified at grade 06.