Dental Assistant Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Dental Assistants in Melbourne earn a median salary of $61,750 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $75,977. That sits 35% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 62 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 16% of roles by listing volume in Melbourne ↓ -1 listings vs last month
💰 Dental Assistant · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $75,977
Median: $61,750
May $64k
Jun $61k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $55,000 – $74,298
Overall $55k–$75k Mid $55k–$74k $53k $58k $63k $68k $73k $78k
Moderate confidence 62 listings (-1 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $55,000 Median  $61,750 $75,977  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

At $61,750, Melbourne pays dental assistants less than any other capital for the role: Brisbane, Perth and Sydney all sit at $65k. It is also the lowest median in this whole batch relative to the city bar, 35% under Melbourne's all-roles median. Pay slipped $2,470 this month despite strong demand (62 listings). This is award-driven work, so the tight $55k-to-$76k range leaves little room to negotiate above the going rate.

Take Home Pay (based on median $61,750)

Weekly (net)
~$963
Monthly (net)
~$4,171
Annual (net)
~$50,053
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $68,851

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?
Dental assistants in Melbourne start at the $55k p10, reaching the $61,256 mid median with experience. A recognised dental assisting certificate, radiography licensing, or specialist experience in orthodontics or oral surgery is what lifts pay toward the $74k top of the band. Specialist practices pay above general dentistry.
Is $61,750 a good salary in Melbourne?
No, but the sector explains it. At $61,750 the median sits 35% below Melbourne's $95k all-roles median and nets about $50k, the lowest take-home in this batch. That is normal award-level pay for the role, not a market failure, and Melbourne simply pays a few thousand less than other capitals here. Moving into practice management or a specialist clinic is the realistic way to lift it.
How much does a Senior Dental Assistant make in Melbourne?
There is no senior band for this role in the data, so pay tops near the $76k p90 in specialist practices. Progression usually means stepping into Practice Manager work or a clinical coordinator role, which rewards running the front office, rostering and compliance rather than chairside experience alone.

Other roles in Melbourne

Dental Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $61,750 —
Brisbane $65,000 +5%
Perth $65,000 +5%
Sydney $65,000 +5%
Adelaide $60,000 -3%

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension

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.