Dental Assistant in Maryland

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

Median annual salary

$48,280

trending_up +2.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Maryland.

engineering

6,520

Jobs (MD)

monitoring Strong

+6.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$40

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies depending on the specific qualification (e.g., 4 weeks for a radiology course, 13 weeks for a general dental assisting program).

Time to complete

route How to become a dental assistant in Maryland

To become a certified Dental Assistant in Maryland, individuals must register with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. Requirements vary based on the duties performed, but generally include completing a Board-approved educational program and passing relevant DANB examinations, such as the Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) exam for general duties, or the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam for radiography. An initial application fee of $20 is required, and certifications must be renewed every two years with 2 hours of continuing education in infection control for those certified in radiology.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $34,910

25th percentile $45,600

50th (median) $48,280

75th percentile $57,270

90th (experienced) $59,810

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

checklist Maryland requirements

Licensing body	Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
State license	Required
Education	For General Duties: Completion of a Board-approved course of at least 35 hours in dental assisting general duties, AND passing the DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) Examination. For Radiography: Must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete a Board-approved 24-hour course in dental radiation technology, and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For Expanded Functions: Must complete formal training in expanded functions, be DANB certified, and approved by the MSBDE.
Exam	DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) for general duties; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography; Maryland Expanded Function Examination or equivalent DANB exam for expanded functions. ($20)
Application fee	$20
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	2.0 hours per cycle
Notes	All dental assistants performing expanded functions or radiographic procedures are required to maintain a CPR certification from an approved provider. Those certified in radiology must complete 2 CEUs of Infection Control. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are required for dental radiation technologists. There are different qualifications for general duties, orthodontics, and radiography. The initial certification fee for Dental Assistant Qualified in General Duties is $20.

Source: Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners

workspace_premium Maryland license tiers

Maryland offers multiple tiers of dental assistant licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Dental Assistant Qualified in General Duties	N/A
Dental Assistant Qualified in Orthodontics	N/A
Dental Radiation Technologist	N/A

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?

check_circleMaryland license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+6.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a dental assistant career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a dental assistant in Maryland? expand_more

To become a dental assistant in Maryland, you need to complete the required education (For General Duties: Completion of a Board-approved course of at least 35 hours in dental assisting general duties, AND passing the DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) Examination. For Radiography: Must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete a Board-approved 24-hour course in dental radiation technology, and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. For Expanded Functions: Must complete formal training in expanded functions, be DANB certified, and approved by the MSBDE.), pass the DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) for general duties; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography; Maryland Expanded Function Examination or equivalent DANB exam for expanded functions., and submit your application ($20 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a dental assistant in Maryland? expand_more

Yes, Maryland requires a state license to practice as a dental assistant. The licensing body is Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. You must pass the DANB Maryland Dental General (MDG) or General Chairside (GC) for general duties; DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) for radiography; Maryland Expanded Function Examination or equivalent DANB exam for expanded functions..

What do dental assistants earn in Maryland? expand_more

Maryland dental assistants bring home a median salary of $48,280. That's roughly in line with the $47,300 national median. The range spans from $34,910 at the entry level to $59,810 for top earners.

What's the total cost to get dental assistant certified in Maryland? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($20) and application fee ($20) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a dental assistant in Maryland? expand_more

Expect to spend Varies depending on the specific qualification (e.g., 4 weeks for a radiology course, 13 weeks for a general dental assisting program). from start to finish in Maryland — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

How many CE hours do dental assistants need in Maryland? expand_more

Yes — dental assistants in Maryland must complete 2.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.