Free Training — Minnesota

Dental Assistant Training in Minnesota

Launch your dental career with free online training. Minnesota dental assistants earn $63,680+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.

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Minnesota Quick Facts

Average Salary

$63,680/year

Job Growth

6 (2024-2034)

Dental Practices

3,800+

Population 65+

17.4

Training Cost

FREE

Why Become a Dental Assistant in Minnesota?

North Star State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 3,800+ dental practices and a population where 17.4 are over 65.

Competitive Pay

Minnesota dental assistants earn $63,680 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $67,000 - $77,000.

Growing Demand

6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Minnesota.

Quick Start

Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.

Minnesota Dental Assistant Requirements

Registration Requirements

Minnesota requires dental assistants to register with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Minnesota offers Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) credentials for expanded clinical procedures through additional training and state examination.

X-Ray Certification

Minnesota requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Minnesota state exam. Radiography certification is part of DA registration requirements and must be renewed with continuing education.

Dental Assistant Salaries in Minnesota

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-1 yr) $51,000 - $57,500
Mid-Level (2-4 yrs) $58,000 - $66,500
Senior (5+ yrs) $67,000 - $77,000
Certified/EFDA $69,000 - $80,000

Salary by Region

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro $60,000 - $72,000

Largest market, UMN dental school

Rochester $58,000 - $68,000

Mayo Clinic influence, medical hub

Duluth $54,000 - $62,000

Northern Minnesota, UMD presence

St. Cloud $52,000 - $60,000

Central Minnesota hub

Mankato $50,000 - $58,000

Southern Minnesota, university town

Top Dental Employers in Minnesota

Minnesota offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry

Academic

Employees: 400+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 515 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Minnesota's only dental school with comprehensive research and clinical programs.

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Aspen Dental

DSO Network

Employees: 600+

Facilities: 30+ locations

Location: Multiple MN locations

National DSO with Minnesota presence offering structured career development.

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HealthPartners Dental

Integrated Health

Employees: 500+

Facilities: 25+ clinics

Location: Twin Cities metro

Major Minnesota health plan with integrated dental clinics throughout metro area.

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Park Dental

Regional Group

Employees: 800+

Facilities: 50+ locations

Location: Twin Cities metro

Largest dental group in Minnesota with extensive Twin Cities presence.

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Apple Tree Dental

Nonprofit

Employees: 200+

Facilities: 7 locations

Location: Statewide

Nonprofit dental organization serving underserved Minnesota communities.

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NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center

FQHC

Employees: 100+

Facilities: 2 locations

Location: North Minneapolis

Community health center serving North Minneapolis diverse communities.

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Open Cities Health Center

FQHC

Employees: 75+

Facilities: 2 locations

Location: St. Paul

Community health center serving St. Paul's immigrant and refugee populations.

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Private Practice Network

Various

Employees: 5,500+

Facilities: 3,200+ practices

Location: Statewide

Diverse private practices from Twin Cities to rural Minnesota.

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Minnesota Dental Assistant Success Stories

MT

Michelle T.

Minneapolis • Park Dental

"Park Dental's 50+ locations mean career growth opportunities throughout the metro!"

2024-11

DK

David K.

Rochester • Private Practice

"Mayo Clinic elevates all healthcare here. Patients expect excellence, and pay reflects it."

2024-10

SJ

Sarah J.

Duluth • Apple Tree Dental

"Nonprofit dental work serving underserved communities is incredibly rewarding."

2024-09

Frequently Asked Questions

Minnesota dental assistants earn an average of $63,680 annually ($30.62/hour)—among the highest in the nation. Entry-level positions start at $51,000-$57,500, while experienced DAs earn $67,000-$77,000. Minneapolis-St. Paul pays $60,000-$72,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.

Yes, Minnesota requires dental assistants to register with the Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. LDA credentials require additional training and state examination for expanded functions.

EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks. Minnesota registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. LDA credentials require additional approved training. Most students are job-ready in 2-3 months.

Excellent outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Minnesota's strong economy, 3,800+ dental practices, and UMN dental school create robust demand. Major employers like Park Dental and HealthPartners provide extensive employment opportunities.

Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Minnesota registration fee, radiography certification exam, and any optional certifications when ready. Many Minnesota employers reimburse certification costs.

Minneapolis-St. Paul metro leads with $60,000-$72,000 near UMN dental school and major employers. Rochester offers $58,000-$68,000 with Mayo Clinic healthcare influence. Duluth provides $54,000-$62,000 in Northern Minnesota's hub.

Minnesota offers: (1) Highest dental assistant wages nationally, (2) Strong healthcare economy with major employers, (3) UMN dental school creating academic opportunities, (4) Innovative nonprofit dental organizations (Apple Tree Dental), (5) Quality of life with outdoor recreation.

Minnesota's high wages reflect: (1) Strong overall economy and low unemployment, (2) Competition from major employers (Park Dental, HealthPartners), (3) Higher cost of living in Twin Cities, (4) Healthcare-focused economy, (5) Strong worker protections and benefits expectations.

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Minnesota Dental Assistant Market Overview

Minnesota's dental workforce serves approximately 5.7 million residents through an estimated 3,800+ dental practices. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area contains the majority of dental employment, with significant markets in Rochester, Duluth, and Greater Minnesota.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Minnesota employed approximately 9,800 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $63,680—among the highest nationally. Minnesota's strong economy and healthcare focus drive premium wages.

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry is the state's only dental school, training approximately 100 dentists annually. The school's research programs and clinical education create significant academic employment opportunities for dental assistants.

Park Dental, with 50+ locations throughout the Twin Cities metro, represents Minnesota's largest dental group. HealthPartners operates integrated dental clinics for health plan members. These major employers provide structured career paths with comprehensive benefits.

Apple Tree Dental operates as a nonprofit serving underserved Minnesota communities, including nursing home residents, people with disabilities, and low-income populations. This innovative model creates mission-driven employment with statewide impact.

Rochester's status as Mayo Clinic's home elevates healthcare standards throughout Southern Minnesota. While Mayo Clinic itself focuses on medical care, the healthcare culture influences dental practice standards and patient expectations throughout the region.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.