Dental Assistant Pay

Albertville vs Birmingham: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Albertville, AL and Birmingham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albertville, AL
$37,779
$18.16/hr
Birmingham, AL
$43,370
$20.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbertville, ALBirmingham, AL
Median Salary$37,779$43,370
Hourly Rate$18.16$20.85
Entry Level (P10)$30,805$32,592
25th Percentile$36,962$39,420
75th Percentile$43,650$51,549
Top Earner (P90)$44,735$62,792
Total Employed41,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albertville ($37,779) and Birmingham ($43,370) dental assistant salaries.AlbertvilleBirminghamMedian Salary$37,779$43,370Entry Level (P10)$30,805$32,592Top Earner (P90)$44,735$62,792US Median $49,579

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albertville.

The salary gap between Albertville and Birmingham is $5,591 (14.80%). Birmingham's median is -12.52% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albertville spans $13,930,Birmingham spans $30,200. Birmingham has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Albertville
P10 (Entry)$30,805
P25$36,962
Median$37,779
P75$43,650
P90 (Top)$44,735
Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$32,592
P25$39,420
Median$43,370
P75$51,549
P90 (Top)$62,792

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($47,324 effective) pays 10.11% more than Albertville ($42,980 effective).

Albertville
Nominal: $37,779
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $42,980
Birmingham
Nominal: $43,370
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $47,324

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albertville if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,370/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,792)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,324)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Albertville grew 20.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Birmingham over the same period.

Albertville, AL

+20.8%

$30,311 (2024) → $36,629 (2025)

Birmingham, AL

+17.1%

$35,910 (2019) → $42,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Albertville or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a higher median dental assistant salary at $43,370/year, compared to Albertville at $37,779/year — a difference of $5,591 (14.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albertville and Birmingham?

Albertville dental assistants earn $18.16/hr while Birmingham hygienists earn $20.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albertville to Birmingham as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albertville and Birmingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albertville = $42,980, Birmingham = $47,324), job availability (4 vs 1,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Albertville vs Birmingham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $30,805 in Albertville and $32,592 in Birmingham. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov