Dental Assistant in Indiana

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IN. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$47,980

trending_up +1.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Indiana.

engineering

6,250

Jobs (IN)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$60

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Indiana

To become a dental assistant in Indiana, a state license is not required for general duties. However, a limited dental radiography license is mandatory to take x-rays, which is issued by the Indiana State Department of Health. This involves completing an approved education program, having a dentist verify proficiency, and passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For expanded duties such as coronal polishing, additional education and demonstrated clinical competency are necessary.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $36,440

25th percentile $45,220

50th (median) $47,980

75th percentile $58,060

90th (experienced) $60,760

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Indiana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Indiana requirements

Licensing body	Indiana State Board of Dentistry
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED. For radiography, completion of a State Board of Health Dental Radiology program. For expanded duties like coronal polishing or sealant application, a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, or a board-approved course, and specific clinical experience.
Exam	DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography license. DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam is recognized for using the title 'Certified Dental Assistant' and for performing expanded duties.
Application fee	$60
Notes	Indiana does not license dental assistants for general duties. A limited dental radiography license is required to take x-rays, issued by the Indiana State Department of Health. To obtain this, you must complete an approved education program, have a dentist verify proficiency, and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. CPR certification is also required for dental assistants assisting with oral conscious sedation procedures. Expanded duties like coronal polishing and applying medicaments for caries prevention require specific education and clinical competency.

Source: Indiana State Board of Dentistry

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+6.4%

Faster than average

Annual openings

52,900

Nationwide per year

Total employment

381,900

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.53/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a dental assistant in Indiana? expand_more

In Indiana, becoming a dental assistant requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. For radiography, completion of a State Board of Health Dental Radiology program. For expanded duties like coronal polishing or sealant application, a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program, or a board-approved course, and specific clinical experience.), pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography license. DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam is recognized for using the title 'Certified Dental Assistant' and for performing expanded duties., and submit your application ($60 fee).

Is a state license required for dental assistants in Indiana? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a dental assistant in Indiana. Note: Indiana does not license dental assistants for general duties. A limited dental radiography license is required to take x-rays, issued by the Indiana State Department of Health. To obtain this, you must complete an approved education program, have a dentist verify proficiency, and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. CPR certification is also required for dental assistants assisting with oral conscious sedation procedures. Expanded duties like coronal polishing and applying medicaments for caries prevention require specific education and clinical competency.

What do dental assistants earn in Indiana? expand_more

The median dental assistant salary in Indiana is $47,980 per year. That's roughly in line with the $47,300 national median. The range spans from $36,440 at the entry level to $60,760 for top earners.

How many months or years does dental assistant certification take in Indiana? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies from start to finish in Indiana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.