Dental Assistant Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Dental Assistants in Sydney earn a median salary of $64,220 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $55,000 and $80,000. That sits 32% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 60 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 22% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↓ -4 listings vs last month
💰 Dental Assistant · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$55,000 – $80,000
Median: $64,220
Jun $65k
Jul $64k
→ Stable

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

Mid level $55,000 – $80,000
Overall $55k–$80k Mid $55k–$80k $53k $59k $64k $70k $76k $82k
Moderate confidence 60 listings (-4 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 60 job listings for this role and city, 98.4% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 26.2% stated a salary directly. The remaining 73.8% 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  $64,220 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

At 32.4% below the city median, dental assisting sits far under Sydney's $95,000 benchmark, though the role itself pays within $5,000 nationally. The median eased $780 to $64,000, level with Melbourne and behind the $65,000 cluster of Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. Listings were flat at 60 against 64. Only 26% of listings stated a salary.

Take Home Pay (based on median $64,220)

Weekly (net)
~$993
Monthly (net)
~$4,303
Annual (net)
~$51,634
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $71,605

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 Sydney?
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 $80,000 ceiling.
Is $64,220 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $64,000 the role sits 32.4% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $993 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Every capital pays within $5,000, so this is an award rate rather than a local shortfall. Sydney is simply the most expensive place to earn it.
How much does a Senior Dental Assistant make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $80,000, reached through practice management combining clinical assisting with billing, compliance and rostering. Oral health therapy and dental hygiene require further study but are the only routes that reset this range. Within assisting itself there is almost no progression.

Other roles in Sydney

Dental Assistant salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $64,220 0%
Gold Coast $69,160 +8%
Adelaide $65,000 ~same
Brisbane $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.