Dental Assistant Salary in Canada: Understanding Compensation in 2024

Dental assistants make up an important part of a dental care team. They take care of patients and perform different tasks around a dental clinic. Becoming a dental assistant means you have to work on your clinical skills while honing interpersonal abilities as well. Now, you may wonder about the dental assistant salary and hour wage. How much money do they earn?

In this article, we’ll discuss the average compensation of dental assistants in different Canadian cities and provinces. You will also learn how to negotiate a better salary after completing your education as a dental health professional and entering the national workforce.

If you’re curious about questions like “How much do dental assistants make?” keep reading this article. It’ll answer all your queries with credible facts, stats, and tables.

Average Dental Assistant Salary in Canada

Dental assistants don’t just have to complete a 52-week program, but they also get certified by the Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA). Sadly, Canada is facing a shortage of dental assistants. Even though this workforce employs 26,000 to 29,000 people, health experts believe that the country needs an additional 5,000 dental assistants right now.

However, most graduates are concerned about the income potential of this career. Is it worth it? What benefits and salary expectations should you have?

National Averages

Let’s answer the question at hand first. How much does a dental assistant make in Canada? We are talking about dental assistant earnings based on the national average. Consulting many different sources, we’ve come to the conclusion that a dental assistant makes $42,970 a year at a rate of $25.44 per hour (Source: Job Bank).

However, this salary bracket depends on your experience and where you’re currently working right now. For instance, the entry-level dental assistant salary will be much lower than a well-experienced person’s wages. These earnings go something like this:

• Entry-level: Around $39,938 per year
• Mid-career: Approximately $45,825 per year
• Experienced: Up to $55,807 per year

You can see that the hourly wage for dental assistant professionals can go from $20 to $33 per hour based on the province in question and their job responsibilities.

Statistics and Figures on the National Average

We can do a little salary comparison here and see how well different Canadian territories pay dental assistants. Thanks to Job Bank, we have information on dental assistant hourly wage & pay rate statistics. This table will help you understand the wage gap:

Table 1: Dental Assistant Pay Comparison

Top-Paying Cities and Provinces

Hopefully, this table of the dental assistant salary by state has helped you understand where a dental assistant can earn a decent salary. Alberta and British Columbia pay dental assistants in their clinics very generously. Other sources agree that $29.84 per hour (or over $50,400 a year) is the average dental assistant pay scale in Alberta. As for some other cities:

• Edmonton, AB: $30.00 per hour
• Surrey, BC: $28.00 per hour
• Burnaby, BC: $27.29 per hour
• Ottawa, ON: $26.31 per hour
• London, ON: $25.03 per hour
• Milton, ON: $24.15 per hour
• Winnipeg, MB: $24.01 per hour
• North York, ON: $23.63 per hour
• Montréal, QC: $20.91 per hour

The source of this dental assistant hourly wage helps us see how Alberta and British Columbia have the highest salaries for dental assistants in Canada.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

However, the hourly wage for dental assistant professionals will also be different based on the nature of your job, i.e., whether you’re a part-time or a full-time worker. Here is a breakdown of working as a full-time dental assistant or merely temping as one:

Table 2: Part-time or Full-time Dental Assistant

Temporary Employment Benefits

Now, you have seen the average dental assistant salary for temps. However, what a temp may lack in income potential, they make up for in other ways. Here are some reasons why you may consider getting temporarily employed or employing someone as a dental assistant:

• As stated in the table above, temps enjoy flexible scheduling and have a healthier work-life balance.
• Working in various dental practices will expose temps to many dental health procedures and technologies.
• The shortage of dental assistants in Canada will lead to temps being promoted to a full-time position with better hourly wages.
• It’s a great way to build a network of professionals in town and get recommendations from them for a different job opportunity.

Benefits & Perks Beyond Salary Expectations

However, the benefits of dental assistant pay go beyond hourly wages. Full-time assistants can make a decent living, especially those who end up landing a job in Alberta or British Columbia. So, here’s a break breakdown of the perks this job offers beyond the salary:

Health Insurance

Many employers offer health insurance as part of their benefits package. This package involves medical, dental, vision care, parental, spousal, etc. coverage. So, it reduces your out-of-pocket expenses significantly.

Retirement Plans

Dental assistants also access plans like Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs). So, these plans help them save money for their future, securing their financial future. Some employers will also offer matching contributions.

PTO and Bonuses

Paid time off also comes in handy when these dental health experts need to take sick leaves and personal days without income loss. Your employer may give you a bonus based on performance or tenure.

Salary Negotiation Tips for Dental Assistants

You know now the answer to the basic question. How much dental assistant make in Canada? But how do assistants ensure a decent salary? Redditors believe that you shouldn’t go below the set amount of $20/hour in Ontario. The experienced dental assistant salary lies at almost $30! So, how do you ensure that your employer pays you well?

Preparing for Salary Discussions

First, you should be aware of the many factors that come into play here. You can prepare for salary discussions by learning about the following factors:

• Your experience matters a lot (the Redditor quoted above went from $20 to $28 in 15 years!)
• Location is very important; you can earn more in British Columbia than in Prince Edward Island
• The market demand is linked to the ongoing shortage of dental assistants

How to Research and Determine Your Salary Range?

Next, you’ll do due diligence and determine your salary range. Do a little salary comparison as well. Here’s how you can determine the salary range you’re eligible for:

• Customize your research based on industry standards, experience level, location, etc.
• Use salary research tools like Job Bank, Glassdoor, PayScale, salary.com, and others
• Evaluate the data gathered from these websites (we’ve done most of the research for you here)
• Get ready to appear for your job interview and negotiate with the hiring manager

Effective Negotiation Strategies

Now, let’s say you’ve been called for this interview. You want to work as a dental assistant and earn fair wages. How do you earn the right certified dental assistant salary? For that, you have to be good at negotiating. Here are some effective negotiation tips for you:

• Don’t forget to highlight your qualifications and previous work experience
• Understand the current demand for dental assistants and leverage it to negotiate a fair salary
• Practice delivering your pitch and rehearse your proposal; presentation matters a lot!
• Don’t forget about perks & benefits (they may even compensate for lower wages)
• Always know your worth by establishing your best alternative to a negotiated agreement or BATNA

Tips and Practices for Negotiating Salary & Benefits

Confident that you’ll now land the job you’ve always wanted? Here are some tips and practices to make sure that you get not only a decent salary but also many other amazing benefits:

• Craft a dashing resume that makes you stand out
• Highlight your achievements in the previous employment sectors
• Practice active listening and respond to the hiring manager’s questions confidently
• Make your decision based on the overall package, not just the base salary
• Always be ready to receive counteroffers and determine your minimum acceptable wages
• Don’t forget to follow up and always have 2 to 3 job interviews with different companies to see what salary is market-competitive right now

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lastly, many young dental health students make basic mistakes when it comes to negotiating for a better salary. These are the mistakes that you should avoid. Let’s briefly go through some of these mistakes so you don’t get an hourly wage that doesn’t match your expertise.

• Not researching market value will end up with the hiring manager low-balling you
• Don’t undervalue your worth due to self-doubt; instead, articulate your value in a job interview with confidence
• Never accept the 1st offer quoted to you. You may be leaving money on the table since HR will always start by quoting you the least amount they can pay.
• Don’t over-explain anything or start rambling; talk with focus, intention, and eloquence
• Refrain from assuming a confrontational pose or start making demands/threats.
• Keep in mind that the total package, not just the base salary, should be taken into account.

Future Trends in Dental Assistant

The profession of dental assistance is growing both in the US and Canada. In the neighboring US and its many territories, it’ll grow 8% between 2023 and 2033. Similarly, a survey reveals that dental health remains one of the fastest-growing job markets in Canada, with a rate of 30% (in 2019); dental hygienists were the most popular, and dental assistants came 4th.

However, the hourly wage for dental assistant increases as the assistant grows more familiar with the recent trends and future advancements in this field. So, this section will discuss these trends in detail for your knowledge.

Technological Advancements

These tech trends are reshaping the dental assistance niche:

• Digital imaging and radiography
• Advanced chairside tech (intraoral cameras)
• AI-powered patient scheduling and treatment planning

Changes in Healthcare Policies

Evolving healthcare policies are reshaping the dental assistance niche:

• Public sector investments make dentistry more accessible to underserved populations
• Public awareness regarding oral health empowers patients and makes hygiene practices more common
• New certification requirements may soon emerge, requiring dental assistants to pursue continued learning

Demand for Dental Services

The growing demand for dental services can be observed via these trends:

• An aging population will make geriatric dental health experts more in demand
• As more people get access to dental insurance, the number of patients will rise for the health workforce to treat
• Staffing shortages will lead to employers offering better job security and higher salaries to attract more workers

Final Advice for Job Seekers – Dental Assistant Pay

Are you a dental assistant looking for work or a dentist in search of capable employees? If you seek work in this competitive industry, then get in touch with a temp agency. Find the very best dental assistant staffing agency in your city which hires the top talent. Register yourself with this agency and get found by employers all over Canada offering a handsome salary.