Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace dental assistants?AI replacement risk 27% and how the work is changing

United States Caregiving Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$48,070
25th–75th pct. $44,340–$58,090
Top pay (est.)
$80,900
Top 10% $62,250
Pay in 5 years
$56,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$66,800est.
$57,400–$77,500
Outlook score
67/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
27%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+7.4%
53K openings / yr

Will AI replace Dental Assistants? AI replacement risk

27%
Low
Ranked #217 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Dental Assistants

Key skills

Active Listening
3.4
Reading Comprehension
3.2
Active Learning
3.1
Service Orientation
3.1
Speaking
3.1
Critical Thinking
3.1
Instructing
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
5.1
Medicine and Dentistry
4.8
Administrative
3.7
Administration and Management
3.6
English Language
3.6
Computers and Electronics
3.6
Personnel and Human Resources
3.1
Sales and Marketing
2.6

What the work involves

Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesHandling and Moving Objects

Important abilities

Near VisionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionArm-Hand SteadinessWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Post-secondary certificate
46%
High school diploma
29%
Some college
17%
Associate's degree
8%

Training before entry

6–12 months
37%
3–6 months
18%
None / short demo
15%
Up to 1 month
13%
1–3 months
8%
1–2 years
6%
4–10 years
2%

Related work experience

1–2 years
27%
3–6 months
21%
6–12 months
16%
None
13%
Over 10 years
11%
1–3 months
8%
Up to 1 month
3%

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.