Dental Assistant Pay

Albertville vs Huntsville: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Albertville, AL
$37,779
$18.16/hr
Huntsville, AL
$45,309
$21.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbertville, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$37,779$45,309
Hourly Rate$18.16$21.78
Entry Level (P10)$30,805$37,275
25th Percentile$36,962$39,781
75th Percentile$43,650$49,466
Top Earner (P90)$44,735$55,077
Total Employed4390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albertville ($37,779) and Huntsville ($45,309) dental assistant salaries.AlbertvilleHuntsvilleMedian Salary$37,779$45,309Entry Level (P10)$30,805$37,275Top Earner (P90)$44,735$55,077US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albertville and Huntsville is $7,530 (19.93%). Huntsville's median is -8.61% 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,Huntsville spans $17,802. Huntsville 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
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$37,275
P25$39,781
Median$45,309
P75$49,466
P90 (Top)$55,077

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($48,682 effective) pays 13.27% more than Albertville ($42,980 effective).

Albertville
Nominal: $37,779
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $42,980
Huntsville
Nominal: $45,309
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $48,682

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 Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,309/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,077)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,682)
  • 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 39.8% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Albertville, AL

+20.8%

$30,311 (2024) → $36,629 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+39.8%

$31,430 (2019) → $43,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Albertville or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,309/year, compared to Albertville at $37,779/year — a difference of $7,530 (19.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albertville and Huntsville?

Albertville dental assistants earn $18.16/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $21.78/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albertville and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albertville = $42,980, Huntsville = $48,682), job availability (4 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $30,805 in Albertville and $37,275 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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