Launch your dental career with free online training. Indiana dental assistants earn $49,590+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$49,590/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
4,200+
Population 65+
17.4
Training Cost
FREE
Hoosier State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 4,200+ dental practices and a population where 17.4 are over 65.
Indiana dental assistants earn $49,590 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $52,500 - $60,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Indiana.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Indiana requires dental assistants to be licensed by the Indiana State Board of Dentistry. Licensure requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Indiana offers Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training.
Indiana requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or equivalent. Radiography certification is included in DA licensure requirements and must be maintained with continuing education.
Largest market, IU dental school proximity
Northeast Indiana hub
Northern Indiana, manufacturing region
Southern Indiana, tri-state area
IU main campus, college town
Indiana offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 1,200+
Facilities: 55+ locations
Location: Multiple IN locations
Major DSO with strong Indiana presence offering structured career paths.
View Careers →Employees: 800+
Facilities: 40+ locations
Location: Multiple IN locations
Doctor-led DSO with extensive Indiana footprint near Illinois headquarters.
View Careers →Employees: 400+
Facilities: 1 dental school
Location: 1121 W Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Indiana's only dental school, a major academic medical center in Indianapolis.
View Careers →Employees: 200+
Facilities: Multiple dental locations
Location: Indianapolis metro
Central Indiana's largest health network with dental services.
View Careers →Employees: 150+
Facilities: 5 locations
Location: Indianapolis
Marion County's safety net health system serving Indianapolis's diverse populations.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 8 locations
Location: Northwest Indiana
Community health center serving Lake County and Northwest Indiana.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: 5 locations
Location: Indianapolis area
Regional dental group serving Central Indiana communities.
View Careers →Employees: 6,500+
Facilities: 3,500+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from Indianapolis to rural Indiana communities.
View Careers →Sarah M.
Indianapolis • IU Dental School
"Academic setting means excellent benefits and exposure to complex cases. Love the learning environment!"
2024-11
Mike D.
Fort Wayne • Heartland Dental
"DSO structure gave me stability and clear advancement path. Great training support."
2024-10
Amanda K.
Bloomington • Private Practice
"College town practice has great energy. Young patients and modern dentistry focus."
2024-09
Indiana dental assistants earn an average of $49,590 annually ($23.84/hour). Entry-level positions start at $40,000-$45,000, while experienced DAs earn $52,500-$60,000. Indianapolis metro offers highest wages at $47,000-$55,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Indiana requires dental assistants to be licensed by the State Board of Dentistry. Licensure requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EFDA credentials require additional approved training for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks. Indiana licensure requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.
Positive outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Indiana's 6.8 million population, 4,200+ dental practices, and IU School of Dentistry create steady demand. Central location attracts DSO expansion from neighboring states.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Indiana Board licensure fee ($50), radiography certification exam ($250), and any optional certifications. Many Indiana employers reimburse certification costs.
Indianapolis metro leads with $47,000-$55,000 as home to IU School of Dentistry and largest dental market. Fort Wayne offers $44,000-$51,000 in Northeast Indiana. Carmel, Fishers, and Hamilton County suburbs pay premiums for affluent patient populations.
Licensed DAs in Indiana can perform chairside assistance, sterilization, and radiography. EFDAs can additionally perform coronal polishing, fluoride application, sealants, and impressions. All expanded functions require appropriate supervision as specified by regulation.
Yes! Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis is the state's only dental school, employing dental assistants in clinical education settings. Working at the dental school provides exposure to advanced procedures, teaching opportunities, and comprehensive benefits.
Join thousands of Indiana residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredIndiana's dental workforce serves approximately 6.8 million residents through an estimated 4,200+ dental practices. Indianapolis dominates dental employment, though opportunities exist across the state from Fort Wayne to Evansville to the Indiana Dunes region.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Indiana employed approximately 10,500 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $49,590—above the national median and reflecting Indiana's competitive dental market.
Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis represents the state's only dental school. Founded in 1879, IUSD trains approximately 100 dentists annually and creates significant clinical education employment opportunities for dental assistants.
Indiana's central location attracts dental support organization expansion. Proximity to Heartland Dental's Illinois headquarters and accessible markets in all directions create strong DSO presence with Aspen Dental, Heartland, and regional groups operating throughout the state.
Community health centers including HealthLinc in Northwest Indiana and Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis serve underserved populations. These employers offer mission-driven work with potential loan repayment eligibility and diverse clinical experiences.
Indiana's moderate cost of living enhances purchasing power for dental assistant wages. The state's combination of solid wages, affordable housing, and diverse practice opportunities creates attractive career conditions compared to many neighboring states.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.