Average dental assistant salaries?

I have been a dental assistant for almost 10 years. I have been a head assistant in the last 3 offices that I have worked in (over the past 8 years). The most I have made in this field is $16.50 an hour. I have heard of dental assistants in large cities like Dallas making over $22.00 an hour. Every dentist I have worked for as praised me on my skill, but seems to feel that paying an assistant over $16.50 is too much. What are other assistants with this type of experience making an hour?

Average dental assistant salaries?
The U.S. Dept of Labor publishes the annual Occupational Outlook Handbook. This provides useful info, including salary ranges for different jobs as well as working conditions and education needed.





Here is the link for dental assistant:


http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm





You can also search the publication's index for info about other occupations:


http://www.bls.gov/search/ooh.asp?ct=OOH





I hope this helps!
Reply:its a open market, your job and skills are noticed by a good Dentist you are worth more to him. If youn work for a cheap scate, well you get the picture.