Free Training — Nebraska

Dental Assistant Training in Nebraska

Launch your dental career with free online training. Nebraska dental assistants earn $46,300+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.

Featured Image

800 x 600 recommended

Nebraska Quick Facts

Average Salary

$46,300/year

Job Growth

6 (2024-2034)

Dental Practices

1,350+

Population 65+

17.1

Training Cost

FREE

Why Become a Dental Assistant in Nebraska?

Cornhusker State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 1,350+ dental practices and a population where 17.1 are over 65.

Competitive Pay

Nebraska dental assistants earn $46,300 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $49,000 - $56,000.

Growing Demand

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

Quick Start

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

Nebraska Dental Assistant Requirements

Registration Requirements

Nebraska requires dental assistants to register with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Nebraska offers Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) credentials for additional clinical procedures through approved training.

X-Ray Certification

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

Dental Assistant Salaries in Nebraska

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-1 yr) $37,500 - $42,000
Mid-Level (2-4 yrs) $42,500 - $48,500
Senior (5+ yrs) $49,000 - $56,000
Certified/EFDA $51,000 - $58,500

Salary by Region

Omaha Metro $44,000 - $52,000

Largest market, UNMC/Creighton dental schools

Lincoln $42,000 - $49,000

State capital, UNL presence

Grand Island $39,000 - $45,000

Central Nebraska hub

Kearney $38,000 - $44,000

University town, central location

North Platte $40,000 - $47,000

Western Nebraska, rural premium

Top Dental Employers in Nebraska

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

University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry

Academic

Employees: 250+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 4000 E Campus Loop S, Lincoln, NE 68583

Nebraska's public dental school with comprehensive clinical programs.

View Careers →

Creighton University School of Dentistry

Academic

Employees: 200+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178

Private Jesuit dental school with community outreach focus.

View Careers →

Aspen Dental

DSO Network

Employees: 300+

Facilities: 15+ locations

Location: Multiple NE locations

National DSO with Nebraska presence offering career development.

View Careers →

OneWorld Community Health Centers

FQHC

Employees: 150+

Facilities: 6 locations

Location: Omaha area

Major Omaha community health center serving diverse populations.

View Careers →

Charles Drew Health Center

FQHC

Employees: 100+

Facilities: 4 locations

Location: Omaha/North Omaha

Community health center serving North Omaha's African American community.

View Careers →

People's Health Center

FQHC

Employees: 75+

Facilities: 3 locations

Location: Lincoln area

Community health center serving Lincoln's underserved populations.

View Careers →

Good Neighbor Community Health Center

FQHC

Employees: 50+

Facilities: 3 locations

Location: Columbus/Central NE

Community health center serving Central Nebraska immigrant communities.

View Careers →

Private Practice Network

Various

Employees: 2,000+

Facilities: 1,100+ practices

Location: Statewide

Diverse private practices from Omaha to rural Nebraska.

View Careers →

Nebraska Dental Assistant Success Stories

MT

Michelle T.

Omaha • Creighton Dental

"Dental school employment means Jesuit values and community service focus. Rewarding work!"

2024-11

JK

Jason K.

Lincoln • People's Health Center

"Community health work in Lincoln serves those who need it most. Great team environment."

2024-10

AR

Amanda R.

Grand Island • Good Neighbor CHC

"Serving immigrant communities in Central Nebraska is meaningful. My Spanish skills matter here."

2024-09

Frequently Asked Questions

Nebraska dental assistants earn an average of $46,300 annually ($22.26/hour). Entry-level positions start at $37,500-$42,000, while experienced DAs earn $49,000-$56,000. Omaha metro offers highest wages at $44,000-$52,000 near two dental schools. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.

Yes, Nebraska requires dental assistants to register with DHHS. Registration 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 at your own pace. Nebraska registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.

Stable outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Nebraska's 2 million population, 1,350 dental practices, and two dental schools (UNMC, Creighton) create consistent demand. Strong community health center presence provides additional opportunities.

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

Omaha metro leads with $44,000-$52,000 as home to Creighton dental school. Lincoln offers $42,000-$49,000 near UNMC dental school. Western Nebraska (North Platte, Scottsbluff) may offer rural premiums to attract workers.

Nebraska offers: (1) Two dental schools (UNMC, Creighton) creating academic employment, (2) Strong community health center presence, (3) Low cost of living with competitive wages, (4) Rural opportunities with potential incentives, (5) Diverse immigrant communities in meatpacking towns.

Yes! Nebraska's meatpacking industry has attracted significant immigrant populations in communities like Grand Island, Lexington, and Columbus. Community health centers serve these populations, valuing Spanish and other language skills. Cultural competency creates employment advantages.

Explore More Healthcare Training

Ready to Start Your Dental Career in Nebraska?

Join thousands of Nebraska residents who launched their dental assisting careers with our free training.

Enroll Free Today — No Credit Card Required

Nebraska Dental Assistant Market Overview

Nebraska's dental workforce serves approximately 2 million residents through an estimated 1,350 dental practices. Omaha and Lincoln dominate dental employment, with smaller markets in Grand Island, Kearney, and regional centers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Nebraska employed approximately 3,600 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $46,300—near the national median with Nebraska's low cost of living providing competitive purchasing power.

Nebraska hosts two dental schools—UNMC College of Dentistry in Lincoln and Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha. This concentration creates substantial academic employment opportunities and shapes Nebraska's dental workforce development.

Creighton University's Jesuit mission emphasizes community service and care for underserved populations. The dental school operates outreach clinics and community programs creating diverse clinical experiences for dental assistants.

Nebraska's meatpacking industry has attracted significant immigrant populations, particularly Hispanic/Latino and Sudanese communities, in towns like Grand Island, Lexington, and Columbus. Community health centers serve these populations, valuing multilingual and culturally competent dental assistants.

Community health centers including OneWorld and Charles Drew in Omaha, People's Health Center in Lincoln, and Good Neighbor in Columbus serve diverse underserved populations with potential loan repayment benefits and mission-driven employment.

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