Launch your dental career with free online training. Montana dental assistants earn $45,930+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.
Featured Image
800 x 600 recommended
Average Salary
$45,930/year
Job Growth
6 (2024-2034)
Dental Practices
680+
Population 65+
19.9
Training Cost
FREE
Treasure State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 680+ dental practices and a population where 19.9 are over 65.
Montana dental assistants earn $45,930 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $49,000 - $56,000.
6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Montana.
Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.
Montana requires dental assistants to register with the Montana Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Montana offers Expanded Duty Dental Auxiliary (EDDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training.
Montana requires dental assistants to complete a Board-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. Radiography certification is separate from DA registration and must be renewed with continuing education requirements.
Largest city, regional medical hub
University of Montana, western hub
Central Montana, military presence
Fast-growing, affluent community
State capital
Montana offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.
Employees: 150+
Facilities: Multiple locations
Location: Billings area
Billings-based public health organization with dental services.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 4 locations
Location: Missoula area
Community health center serving Western Montana's diverse populations.
View Careers →Employees: 75+
Facilities: 3 locations
Location: Havre/Hi-Line
Community health center serving Montana's Hi-Line communities.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Billings
Public health dental program serving Yellowstone County.
View Careers →Employees: 100+
Facilities: 5 locations
Location: Major Montana cities
National DSO with Montana presence in larger communities.
View Careers →Employees: 50+
Facilities: 2 locations
Location: Great Falls
Community health center serving Great Falls area.
View Careers →Employees: 40+
Facilities: 1 location
Location: Bozeman
Regional health system with dental services in growing Bozeman.
View Careers →Employees: 1,000+
Facilities: 550+ practices
Location: Statewide
Diverse private practices from urban centers to rural Montana.
View Careers →Sarah K.
Bozeman • Private Practice
"Bozeman's growth means excellent opportunities. Skiing before work is amazing!"
2024-11
Jason M.
Billings • Riverstone Health
"Public health dental work serves our community. Great benefits and meaningful impact."
2024-10
Amanda T.
Missoula • Partnership Health Center
"Community health in Western Montana is rewarding. Beautiful area with great patients."
2024-09
Montana dental assistants earn an average of $45,930 annually ($22.08/hour). Entry-level positions start at $37,000-$42,000, while experienced DAs earn $49,000-$56,000. Bozeman pays highest at $45,000-$53,000 reflecting its growth and affluence. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Yes, Montana requires dental assistants to register with the Board of Dentistry. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. EDDA credentials require additional approved training for expanded functions.
EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Montana registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification (DANB RHS exam). The complete process typically takes 2-3 months.
Stable outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Montana's small population (1.1 million) and 680 dental practices create a manageable job market. Rural provider shortages mean opportunities throughout the state, often with recruitment incentives.
Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Montana registration fee, DANB RHS exam ($250), and any optional certifications when ready. Many Montana employers—especially community health centers—reimburse certification costs and offer signing bonuses.
Bozeman leads with $45,000-$53,000 driven by rapid growth and affluent population. Billings offers $44,000-$51,000 as Montana's largest city. Missoula provides $43,000-$50,000 with university town lifestyle benefits.
Montana offers: (1) Big Sky lifestyle with outdoor recreation, (2) Rural positions with premium pay and community integration, (3) Strong community health center presence, (4) Lower cost of living than coastal states, (5) Small-town practice opportunities with meaningful patient relationships.
Yes! Montana's rural provider shortages lead many employers to offer signing bonuses and relocation assistance. Community health centers may qualify for NHSC loan repayment. Indian Health Service positions on Montana reservations offer additional incentives and federal benefits.
Join thousands of Montana residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.
Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card RequiredMontana's dental workforce serves approximately 1.1 million residents spread across America's fourth-largest state through an estimated 680 dental practices. Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman contain the majority of dental employment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Montana employed approximately 2,100 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $45,930—near the national median with Montana's lower cost of living providing competitive purchasing power.
Montana lacks a dental school, creating workforce recruitment challenges. The state relies on dental professionals from other states and graduates from regional dental schools. This scarcity can translate to recruitment incentives and signing bonuses for qualified dental assistants.
Bozeman represents Montana's fastest-growing community, attracting affluent residents and creating premium dental service demand. The town's population growth drives dental practice expansion and competitive wages in Southwest Montana.
Montana's federally qualified health centers—including Partnership Health Center in Missoula and Bullhook in Havre—serve rural and underserved populations. These organizations provide mission-driven employment with potential NHSC loan repayment eligibility.
Indian Health Service operates dental facilities on Montana's seven reservations, including the Blackfeet, Crow, and Fort Peck reservations. These federal positions offer unique cultural experiences, loan repayment programs, and comprehensive federal benefits.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.