Career Paths From Dental Assistants

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Dental HygienistsCareer Change93.7% skill match
Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Dental Hygienists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 104% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$98,100
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Medical AssistantsLateral Move91.7% skill match
Dental Assistants and Medical Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Medical Assistants sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 5% lower.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$45,690
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansCareer Change93.4% skill match
Dental Assistants and Veterinary Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Veterinary Technologists and Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$47,380
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Respiratory TherapistsCareer Change90.9% skill match
Dental Assistants and Respiratory Therapists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Respiratory Therapists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 71% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$82,280
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansCareer Change90.8% skill match
Dental Assistants and Radiologic Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 67% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$80,110
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsCareer Change91.2% skill match
Dental Assistants and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 99% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$95,480
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsCareer Change93.7% skill match
Dental Assistants and Nuclear Medicine Technologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Nuclear Medicine Technologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 111% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$101,370
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersCareer Change92.8% skill match
Dental Assistants and First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 95% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$93,530
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
PhlebotomistsLateral Move91.9% skill match
Dental Assistants and Phlebotomists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Phlebotomists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 6% lower.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$45,230
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Opticians, DispensingCareer Change91.9% skill match
Dental Assistants and Opticians, Dispensing share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Opticians, Dispensing is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$47,260
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersCareer Change94.9% skill match
Dental Assistants and Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 9% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$52,540
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Nurse AnesthetistsCareer Change91.5% skill match
Dental Assistants and Nurse Anesthetists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Nurse Anesthetists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 3). Median salary is about 392% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$236,590
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
5
Log Graders and ScalersCareer Change93.3% skill match
Dental Assistants and Log Graders and Scalers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Log Graders and Scalers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 4% lower.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$46,330
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Correctional Officers and JailersCareer Change91.8% skill match
Dental Assistants and Correctional Officers and Jailers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Correctional Officers and Jailers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 23% higher.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$58,940
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Parts SalespersonsCareer Change93.8% skill match
Dental Assistants and Parts Salespersons share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Parts Salespersons is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 20% lower.
Current median salary
$48,070
Target median salary
$38,630
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.