Launch your dental career with free online training. Alaska dental assistants earn $54,720+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$54,720/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
420+
Population 65+
14.2
Training Cost
FREE
The Last Frontier offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 420+ dental practices and a population where 14.2 are over 65.
Alaska dental assistants earn $54,720 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $58,000 - $66,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Alaska.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Alaska requires dental assistants performing expanded duties to register with the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners. Basic dental assistants working under direct supervision do not require registration. Dental assistants seeking to perform coronal polishing or other expanded functions must complete approved training and obtain a permit.
Alaska requires dental assistants to complete an approved radiography course (minimum 4 hours) and obtain certification to expose dental X-rays. The Alaska Board accepts DANB's Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) certification or completion of an Alaska Board-approved program. All radiographic procedures must be under dentist supervision.
Largest market, majority of dental practices
Second largest city, university presence
State capital, government employees
Coastal communities, fishing industry
Fast-growing suburban area of Anchorage
Alaska offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 800+
Facilities: 100+ practices
Location: Greater Anchorage area
Network of private practices in Alaska's largest city serving diverse patient populations.
View Careers →Employees: 2,000+
Facilities: 25+ tribal clinics
Location: 4000 Ambassador Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508
Largest tribal health organization in Alaska, serving Alaska Native and American Indian communities.
View Careers →Employees: 500+
Facilities: Multiple clinics
Location: Anchorage region
Award-winning Alaska Native health organization with innovative care delivery model.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: 5 locations
Location: Anchorage, Wasilla
Growing multi-location practice offering comprehensive dental services across Southcentral Alaska.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Fairbanks, North Pole
Community-focused dental care serving Interior Alaska residents.
View Careers →Employees: 60+
Facilities: 4 practices
Location: Anchorage, Eagle River
Established practice group with reputation for quality care and employee development.
View Careers →Employees: 300+
Facilities: 15+ locations
Location: Southeast Alaska
Tribal health system serving remote Southeast Alaska communities.
View Careers →Employees: 1,500+
Facilities: 300+ practices
Location: Statewide
Individual dental practices across Alaska, including rural and remote locations.
View Careers →Emily K.
Anchorage • ANTHC
"The tribal health benefits are incredible—housing assistance, travel, and the highest pay I've ever earned."
2024-11
David W.
Fairbanks • Private Practice
"Moved from Texas for adventure. Earning 40% more here and loving Alaska life."
2024-10
Jessica L.
Juneau • SEARHC
"Working in Southeast Alaska is challenging but rewarding. The tribal health mission is meaningful."
2024-09
Alaska offers some of the highest dental assistant wages in the nation at $54,720 average annually ($26.31/hour). Entry-level positions start at $43,000-$49,500, with experienced DAs earning $58,000-$66,000. Remote locations and tribal health positions often pay premium rates. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Basic dental assistants in Alaska do not require licensure for entry-level duties under direct dentist supervision. However, you must register with the Alaska Board of Dental Examiners to perform expanded functions like coronal polishing. Radiography certification is required to take X-rays.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. After completing training, add Alaska's approved radiography course (minimum 4 hours) for X-ray certification. Expanded functions permits require additional approved training through the Board.
Good outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Alaska's unique healthcare landscape includes significant employment opportunities with tribal health organizations like ANTHC and Southcentral Foundation. Remote and rural positions often offer premium pay and benefits to attract workers.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free to enroll and complete all modules. You only pay for certifications when ready: DANB exams, Alaska radiography certification, or expanded functions training. Many Alaska employers—especially tribal health systems—reimburse certification costs.
Anchorage leads with $52,000-$62,000 salaries as Alaska's largest dental market. Remote positions often pay 10-20% premiums. Tribal health organizations typically offer competitive wages plus exceptional benefits including housing assistance, travel benefits, and retirement plans.
Alaska offers: (1) Highest wages nationally, (2) Tribal health opportunities with outstanding benefits, (3) Adventure lifestyle in America's last frontier, (4) Student loan repayment programs for underserved areas, (5) Diverse patient populations including Alaska Native communities.
Yes, Alaska's remote locations require dental assistants to be prepared for emergencies when advanced care may be hours away. Many employers require Wilderness First Aid in addition to BLS certification. Tribal health positions often provide specialized emergency training.
Join thousands of Alaska residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredAlaska's dental workforce operates in one of America's most unique healthcare environments, serving 733,000 residents across 663,000 square miles—larger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. This geographic reality shapes dental assistant opportunities significantly.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Alaska employed approximately 1,200 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $54,720—among the highest nationally. High wages reflect both living costs and the challenge of attracting healthcare workers to the state.
Tribal health organizations dominate Alaska's healthcare landscape. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and Southcentral Foundation together employ thousands of healthcare workers, including dental assistants, serving Alaska Native and American Indian populations across remote villages and urban centers.
The Community Health Aide Program/Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) model, unique to Alaska, extends dental care to remote communities. While DHATs are distinct from dental assistants, this innovative model creates career ladders for dental professionals interested in expanded roles.
Anchorage, home to approximately 40% of Alaska's population, contains the majority of the state's dental practices. The Mat-Su Valley (Wasilla, Palmer) represents Alaska's fastest-growing region, with corresponding growth in dental services.
Dental assistants considering Alaska should research specific employer benefits carefully. Tribal health organizations often provide housing assistance, travel benefits, generous leave policies, and federal student loan repayment eligibility that can offset the state's higher cost of living.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.