Dental Assistant Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Dental Assistants in Melbourne earn a median salary of $64,610 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $74,910. That sits 31% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,805. Figures are based on 62 jobs advertised in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 19% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +7 listings vs last month
💰 Dental Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $74,910
Median: $64,610
Aug $65k
Sep $64k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data, short-term movement only.

Mid level $55,000 – $74,370
Overall $55k–$74k Mid $55k–$74k $53k $58k $62k $67k $72k $77k
Moderate confidence 62 listings (+7 vs last month) · 30/09/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 62 job listings for this role and city, all sourced from Seek.com.au. Of those, 39.7% stated a salary directly. The remaining 60.3% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $55,000 Median  $64,610 $74,910  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

At 31.1% below the city median this is the widest role-to-city gap in the Melbourne data, though that reflects Melbourne's high $93,000 benchmark as much as the role itself. The median eased $390 to $64,000 with listings up from 55 to 62. Brisbane now leads at $69,000, with Sydney at $66,000 and both Adelaide and Perth at $65,000, leaving Melbourne last. At 40% salary disclosure the figure is moderately supported.

Take Home Pay (based on median $64,610)

Weekly (net)
~$998
Monthly (net)
~$4,324
Annual (net)
~$51,883
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $72,040

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Dental Assistant in Melbourne?
The floor is $55,000, covering trainee roles where the practice funds a Certificate III in Dental Assisting. Qualified assistants cluster between $62,000 and $65,000 nationally. Radiography licensing and implant or orthodontic experience are what move someone toward the $74,000 ceiling.
Is $64,610 a good salary in Melbourne?
No. At $64,000 the role sits 31.1% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $93,000, with take-home near $998 a week against the highest living costs in this report. It is the weakest dental assistant market in the country, in the most expensive city. Within Melbourne healthcare it is the lowest band, well behind enrolled nursing at $85,000.
How much does a Senior Dental Assistant make in Melbourne?
The ceiling is $74,000, the lowest dental assistant ceiling of any city here. Practice management is the usual route beyond it, combining clinical assisting with billing and rostering. Oral health therapy and dental hygiene require further study but are the only paths that reset this range.

Other roles in Melbourne

Dental Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $64,610 0%
Brisbane $69,160 +7%
Sydney $66,250 +3%
Adelaide $65,000 ~same
Perth $65,000 ~same

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.