Launch your dental career with free online training. Alabama dental assistants earn $39,600+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$39,600/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
2,850+
Population 65+
18.1
Training Cost
FREE
Heart of Dixie offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 2,850+ dental practices and a population where 18.1 are over 65.
Alabama dental assistants earn $39,600 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $42,000 - $48,500.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Alabama.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Alabama does not require dental assistants to be licensed or registered. Dental assistants can perform basic duties under direct supervision of a licensed dentist without formal credentials. However, expanded function dental assistants (EFDAs) must complete an Alabama Board-approved EFDA program and pass a board examination.
Alabama requires dental assistants to hold a Dental Radiography Certificate to expose dental radiographs. Certification requires completing an approved 6-hour course and passing the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or equivalent state exam. The Alabama Board of Dental Examiners oversees certification.
Largest dental market, UAB dental school proximity
Growing tech corridor, young professional population
Coastal region, tourist economy support
State capital, government employees
University town, college student population
Alabama offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 500+
Facilities: 25+ locations
Location: Multiple AL locations
Leading DSO with comprehensive training programs for new dental assistants across Alabama.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 12 practices
Location: Birmingham, AL
Multi-location group practice offering competitive benefits and career advancement.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 3 locations
Location: Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile
Major dental supplier with DA positions in sales support and customer service.
View Careers →Employees: 300+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 1919 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294
Teaching hospital offering experience with advanced procedures and diverse patient base.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 20+ locations
Location: Multiple AL locations
National DSO with Alabama locations offering structured training and benefits.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 8 community clinics
Location: Rural Alabama locations
Federally qualified health centers serving underserved Alabama communities.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: 15 locations
Location: Multiple AL locations
Growing DSO presence in Alabama with emphasis on work-life balance.
View Careers →Employees: 3,000+
Facilities: 2,500+ practices
Location: Statewide
Individual dental practices ranging from general to specialty dentistry across Alabama.
View Careers →Sarah M.
Birmingham • Aspen Dental
"The free training helped me land my first DA job within 2 months. Now earning $38K with benefits!"
2024-10
Marcus J.
Huntsville • Private Practice
"Switched careers at 35 using EHired. Best decision ever - love working in dentistry."
2024-09
Taylor R.
Mobile • Community Health
"Started with no experience, now I'm the lead DA at our clinic after just 18 months."
2024-08
Dental assistants in Alabama earn an average of $39,600 annually ($19.04/hour). Entry-level positions start around $31,200-$35,800, while experienced DAs earn $42,000-$48,500. DANB Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) typically earn 10-15% more. Birmingham and Huntsville metro areas offer the highest wages. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
No, Alabama does not require licensure for basic dental assisting duties. You can work under direct dentist supervision without formal credentials. However, to take dental X-rays, you must obtain a Dental Radiography Certificate. To perform expanded functions, you need EFDA certification from the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners.
With EHired's free online program, most students complete in 4-8 weeks at their own pace. You can start working in entry-level positions immediately. To take X-rays, add the 6-hour radiography course and exam. EFDA certification requires additional approved coursework.
Strong! 6% projected growth through 2034 with about 2,850 dental practices statewide. Alabama's 18.1% population over 65 creates increased demand for dental services. Major DSO expansion and new dental offices in growing areas like Huntsville are driving job creation.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free to enroll and complete. You only pay for optional certifications when ready: DANB exams ($350-400), state radiography certification, or EFDA programs. Many Alabama employers reimburse certification costs for new hires.
Birmingham leads with $38,000-$44,000 average salaries due to UAB dental school presence and larger practice sizes. Huntsville follows at $37,000-$43,000 driven by tech industry growth. Coastal Mobile area offers $36,000-$41,000 with tourism industry support.
Basic DAs in Alabama can prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, assist chairside, and take impressions under direct supervision. With EFDA certification, you can perform coronal polishing, apply sealants and fluoride, and place/remove rubber dams. Radiography certification allows X-ray exposure.
While not legally required by the state, virtually all Alabama dental employers require current CPR/BLS certification. Many also prefer First Aid certification. EHired recommends obtaining American Heart Association BLS certification before your job search.
Join thousands of Alabama residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredAlabama's dental workforce serves approximately 5.1 million residents through an estimated 2,850+ dental practices. The state's dental assistant workforce reflects regional economic patterns, with the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area employing the highest concentration of dental professionals.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Alabama employed approximately 7,200 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $39,600. This positions Alabama below the national median of $47,300, though the lower cost of living provides comparable purchasing power.
UAB School of Dentistry in Birmingham serves as the state's only dental school, training future dentists and creating employment opportunities for dental assistants in clinical education settings. The school's presence elevates Birmingham's dental job market significantly.
Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) have expanded significantly in Alabama, with Aspen Dental, Smile Brands, and Dental Care Alliance operating multiple locations statewide. These organizations often provide structured training programs and benefits packages attractive to new dental assistants.
The Alabama Dental Association reports strong growth in group practice models, while solo practitioners remain common in rural areas. Community health centers operated by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) serve dental needs in underserved areas across the state.
Huntsville's rapid population and economic growth—driven by aerospace and technology industries—has created expanding dental service demand. The Huntsville metro area added numerous dental practices in recent years to serve its growing professional population.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.