Healthcare support · SOC 31-9091
Dental assistants
BLS projects 388,600 jobs in 2025 to become 417,400 by 2035 — +7.4%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
+7.4%
projected change to 2035
About 28,800 more jobs
53,000
openings a year
13.6% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$48,070
median annual pay
Usually entered with: postsecondary nondegree award
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment388,600
- 2035 projected417,400
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other healthcare support occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Home health and personal care aides4,677,100+18.1%
- Nursing assistants1,505,900+2.6%
- Medical assistants833,900+12.9%
- Massage therapists155,400+15.3%
- Phlebotomists143,900+6.8%
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers132,100+9.1%
- Physical therapist assistants114,100+23.0%
- Healthcare support workers, all other113,900+4.8%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.