Earning DANB certification is about more than passing exams — taking that step can have direct impact on your earnings. According to DANB’s 2014 Salary Survey, dental assistants who hold Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification earn a median salary of $19 an hour, nearly $2 more per hour than non-certified dental assistants.* Additionally, the survey showed that CDA certificants receive numerous other benefits, including paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) or pension plans, free dental care and paid sick leave.
Sonal Ramani, CDA, COA, CPFDA, has been certified since 2009 and says her employer prefers dental assistants who hold certification. “I received a salary increase immediately after earning my DANB certification,” she notes.
But it isn’t all about the money — earning DANB certification delivers personal benefits as well. The 2014 DANB Salary Survey asked CDA certificants what they personally gained, and the number one answer was pride. Surveyed certificants also reported increased knowledge, greater confidence, standing out from the crowd and elevation of their profession as the top personal benefits.
Earning DANB certification can be a career boost, especially for those who are trying to stand out when applying for a new job. Amy Nau, CDA, says, “Being DANB certified helped me in my search for a job. Dental offices considered me highly qualified because of my DANB certification.”
Tarcisio Gutierrez, CDA, agrees: “Holding a DANB certification gives me an edge over other dental assistants. It is easy for me to find jobs and get paid really well.”
These benefits could be why 98% of certificants encourage others to earn DANB certification!
Visit the DANB website to learn more about how you can earn certification and take your career to the next level, and read our additional 2014 Salary Survey findings.
* According to figures from the 2014 Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
