Dental Assistant in Redmond, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Redmond Stands

Here’s the unvarnished truth about dental assistant salaries in Redmond: you’re looking at a median of $46,567/year, which breaks down to $22.39/hour. That’s slightly above the national average of $44,820/year, but don’t pop the champagne just yet. This area is a tech hub, and the cost of living reflects that. You’ll earn more than in smaller Washington towns like Yakima or Bellingham, but you’ll almost certainly earn less than your peers in Seattle proper, where clinics compete with corporate dental chains and specialty practices that can offer higher pay.

The job market here is steady, not booming. There are approximately 160 dental assistant positions in the greater Redmond metro area at any given time. The 10-year job growth is 7%, which aligns with national trends but doesn’t account for the intense competition from recent graduates and experienced assistants moving to the area. Many local clinics have a “post-and-hire” model, meaning positions open up due to attrition (retirement, relocation) rather than expansion.

Here’s how experience typically translates to pay in this specific market:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Redmond)	What You’re Expected to Do
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$36,000 - $42,000	Sterilization, tray setup, basic chairside assisting, front desk duties. Often starts as a sterilization technician or "DA II" trainee.
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$44,000 - $52,000	Full chairside assisting for general dentistry, digital X-rays, some ortho or perio assisting, patient scheduling.
Senior (5-8 yrs)	$50,000 - $58,000 +	Mentorship, managing difficult cases, expanded functions (e.g., sealants, fluoride), inventory management. May lead a team.
Expert/Specialty (8+ yrs)	$55,000 - $65,000+	Highly specialized (oral surgery, endo, pediatric), teaching, managing multiple offices, or working for a high-revenue specialty practice.

Insider Tip: Redmond practices heavily value CEREC (same-day crown) experience. If you’re trained on this system, you can often command a higher starting salary, as many of the tech-focused dentists here see it as a major patient draw.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally practical. Your gross annual salary is $46,567. After federal, state (WA has no income tax, which is a huge plus), FICA, and estimated local taxes, your take-home pay will be roughly $3,400 per month. Now, let’s factor in the cost of living.

The average 1-bedroom apartment in Redmond costs $1,864/month. The cost of living index is 113.0 (compared to the US average of 100). Here’s what a typical monthly budget looks like for a single dental assistant earning the median salary:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,864	This is for a basic apartment. Luxury complexes in DT Redmond are $2,200+.
Utilities	$150	Includes electricity, heat, water, internet.
Groceries	$350	Higher due to proximity to Whole Foods and premium markets.
Car Payment/Insurance	$450	Essential. Public transit is limited outside of the SR 520 corridor.
Health Insurance	$200	Often a portion is covered by the employer, but expect a $200-$300 contribution.
Gas	$150	Commuting from neighboring cities can add up.
Miscellaneous	$300	Dining, entertainment, personal care, etc.
Total	$3,464	This exceeds your take-home pay.

Can they afford to buy a home? In short: not on a single dental assistant’s salary. The median home price in Redmond is over $1.1 million. A 20% down payment is $220,000, and a mortgage would be approximately $5,000/month—nearly three times your gross income. Home ownership is typically only feasible for dental assistants in Redmond if they are dual-income households, have a significant family assist, or are willing to live in a condo/townhouse in a more affordable neighboring city like Shoreline or Kent and commute.

Insider Tip: Many local dental assistants live with roommates or partners to make the math work. The “commute from Renton or Kirkland” is a very common strategy to lower housing costs.

Where the Jobs Are: Redmond's Major Employers

Redmond’s dental job market is a mix of private practices, corporate chains, and specialty clinics. The employers are not concentrated in a single district; they’re spread out along key arterials like NE 85th St, 148th Ave NE, and near Overlake.

1. Overlake Dental (1130 120th Ave NE): A large, well-established practice known for its high-tech approach. They frequently hire for expanded functions assistants. They have a strong reputation and are often a first stop for new graduates from local colleges.
2. Redmond Family Dental (15640 NE 85th St): A classic private practice model. They value long-term staff and offer a stable, predictable environment. Hiring is less frequent but tends to be for career-minded individuals.
3. Dental Care Now (15315 NE 24th St): Part of a small corporate group. They have multiple locations and often have openings for both full-time and part-time assistants. Good for gaining experience quickly in a fast-paced environment.
4. Children’s Dental Care (16400 NE 85th St, Suite A): A pediatric specialty practice. They often seek assistants with a passion for working with kids. Experience here is a premium and can lead to higher-paying roles in pediatric or orthodontic offices.
5. Bellevue Dental Arts (with a satellite in Redmond): While headquartered in Bellevue, this high-end cosmetic and restorative practice serves many Redmond residents. They often post for surgical assistants and those with CEREC or CAD/CAM experience.
6. Corporate Chains (Aspen Dental, Heartland Dental): These have a presence in the broader Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland) but are within commuting distance. They offer structured training and benefits but are known for high volume and fast turnover.
7. UW School of Dentistry – Redmond Clinics: The University of Washington has community clinics that sometimes hire assistants for supervisory or educational roles. These are competitive positions that offer state benefits.

Hiring Trends: The market is stable. The biggest demand is for assistants who are willing to do more than just chairside work—including front desk, treatment coordination, and inventory. Practices are increasingly looking for “dental team members” rather than just “assistants.”

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has specific licensing requirements for dental assistants, governed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). It’s not as simple as just applying; you must prove competency.

Key Requirements:

1. Education: You must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program. In Washington, this is typically a 1-year certificate. Local schools include Lake Washington Institute of Technology (in Kirkland, very close to Redmond) and Pima Medical Institute (in Renton).
2. National Certification: You must pass the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. This includes three components: General Chairside Assisting (GC), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS).
3. State Credentialing: After passing the DANB, you apply to the WA DOH for a Dental Assistant License. This is a separate step from certification.
4. Expanded Functions: To perform specific tasks (e.g., place sealants, apply fluoride, take impressions), you need additional certification from the DOH, which often requires supervised practice and an exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Education: $10,000 - $20,000 for a 1-year program.
• DANB Exams: ~$400-$600 total.
• State License Application: ~$150.
• Timeline: A full-time program plus exam prep typically takes 12-14 months from start to licensure. If you’re already a CDA from another state, the process is faster (3-6 months for credential verification and exam requirements).

Insider Tip: Some local employers will sponsor your CDA exam if you’re hired as an unlicensed trainee, but this is more common with corporate chains. Private practices almost always require you to be fully licensed and CDA-certified before hiring.

Best Neighborhoods for Dental Assistants

Where you live in Redmond (or nearby) will drastically impact your commute, budget, and lifestyle.

Neighborhood/Vicinity	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Commute to Major Clinics	Vibe & Lifestyle
Downtown Redmond	$2,100+	5-10 min drive	Urban, walkable, near the Redmond Town Center. Great if you work in the core. Very expensive.
Overlake	$1,900 - $2,200	5-15 min drive	Mixed commercial/residential. Close to clinics like Overlake Dental and Microsoft campus. Busy.
Education Hill	$1,700 - $1,900	10-20 min drive	Quiet, residential, family-oriented. More affordable. Good value for the commute.
Kirkland (North Redmond border)	$1,900 - $2,300	10-25 min drive	Upscale, lakefront access, better transit options. A popular choice for young professionals.
Bellevue (East, near Crossroads)	$1,800 - $2,000	15-30 min drive	More diverse, slightly more affordable than downtown Bellevue. Good access to I-90 and 405.

Insider Tip: Think in terms of commuting corridors. Living north of SR 520 (like in Kirkland) gives you access to I-405 and a reverse commute if you work in Redmond. Living east (like in Bellevue) means dealing with the I-90/SR 520 interchange traffic, which can be intense.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 7% in the metro area suggests you’re not entering a field with explosive expansion, but there is room for vertical mobility.

• Specialty Premiums: As noted, CEREC/CAD-CAM skills can add $3-$5/hour to your value. Oral Surgery and Orthodontic assistants often earn 10-15% more than general dentistry assistants due to the complexity of procedures and the higher revenue per patient.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Clinical Ladder: Move from DA I to DA II to DA III (Expanded Functions). Each step comes with a pay bump.
  2. Management: Become a Office Manager or Clinical Supervisor. This requires leadership skills and often business training. Salaries jump to $60,000+.
  3. Education: Use your experience to teach at a local dental assisting school (like LWTech).
  4. Transition to Dentistry/Hygienist: Many assistants use their experience as a stepping stone to dental hygiene school (2-year program) or even dental school (4+ years). This is a common path in Seattle-area clinics.
• 10-Year Outlook: Automation (like AI for diagnostics) will affect some front-office tasks, but the hands-on patient care role of the dental assistant remains secure. The trend is toward the assistant as a “co-pilot” for the dentist, managing more tech and patient interaction. The key to staying marketable will be continuous learning in digital dentistry and patient communication.

The Verdict: Is Redmond Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Higher Pay than national average and many parts of the state.	High Cost of Living, especially housing, which may require a roommate or long commute.
Stable Job Market with a mix of private and corporate employers.	Competitive Market for the best jobs; networking and certifications matter.
Proximity to Seattle & Bellevue for networking and advanced specialty opportunities.	Car-Dependent lifestyle; public transit is not a reliable option for most commutes.
No State Income Tax increases your take-home pay.	Job Growth is Modest (7%), suggesting you’ll be competing for existing roles, not new ones.
Tech-Savvy Patient Base means clinics often have the latest equipment, providing great skill-building.	Housing is a Major Hurdle; home ownership is not feasible on a single dental assistant salary.

Final Recommendation: Redmond is a great choice for a dental assistant who is already licensed, has 2+ years of experience, and has a clear plan for housing (roommate, partner, or living in a neighboring city). It’s ideal for those looking to specialize in high-tech dentistry (CEREC, digital imaging) and who value a high quality of life in a safe, clean suburb. New graduates or those on a tight budget should strongly consider starting their career in a lower-cost WA city like Spokane or Tacoma to build experience and savings before making the move to the Redmond area.

FAQs

Q: Can I work as a dental assistant in Redmond without being CDA certified?
A: Yes, but with limitations. You can work as a "Dental Assistant Trainee" under direct supervision of a dentist for up to 6 months while you complete your DANB exams. However, most private practices will not hire a trainee; they prefer fully certified assistants. Corporate chains are more likely to offer this path.

Q: What’s the best local school for dental assisting?
A: The Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) in Kirkland is highly regarded for its hands-on training and strong local employer connections. It’s also closest to Redmond. Pima Medical Institute in Renton is another solid choice with a good reputation.

Q: How do I stand out in the Redmond job market?
A: Get your CEREC certification if possible. Gain experience with digital scanners (iTero, 3Shape). Learn basic front-office software (like Dentrix or Eaglesoft). And network—join the Washington State Dental Association (WSDA) and attend local events. A referral from a current employee is often the best way into a top practice.

Q: Is the commute from Seattle to Redmond manageable?
A: It’s a reverse commute, which is an advantage. However, the SR 520 bridge has tolls and can be congested. A morning commute from downtown Seattle to Redmond is typically 25-40 minutes. From the University District, it’s often 20-30 minutes. It’s doable but factor in the toll cost (~$5-10 round trip) and potential delays.

Q: Where can I find salary data specific to Washington State?
A: The primary sources are the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area, and the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries wage data. For real-time job postings, Indeed, LinkedIn, and the Washington State Dental Association job board are the most useful.