Dental Assistant Pay

Alpharetta vs Savannah: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Alpharetta, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alpharetta, GA
$45,785
$22.01/hr
Savannah, GA
$47,145
$22.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlpharetta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$45,785$47,145
Hourly Rate$22.01$22.67
Entry Level (P10)$35,145$38,389
25th Percentile$41,759$39,554
75th Percentile$54,671$49,198
Top Earner (P90)$57,683$60,358
Total Employed13380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alpharetta ($45,785) and Savannah ($47,145) dental assistant salaries.AlpharettaSavannahMedian Salary$45,785$47,145Entry Level (P10)$35,145$38,389Top Earner (P90)$57,683$60,358US Median $49,579

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alpharetta.

The salary gap between Alpharetta and Savannah is $1,360 (2.97%). Savannah's median is -4.91% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alpharetta spans $22,538,Savannah spans $21,969. Alpharetta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alpharetta
P10 (Entry)$35,145
P25$41,759
Median$45,785
P75$54,671
P90 (Top)$57,683
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$38,389
P25$39,554
Median$47,145
P75$49,198
P90 (Top)$60,358

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($49,519 effective) pays 0.69% more than Alpharetta ($49,178 effective).

Alpharetta
Nominal: $45,785
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $49,178
Savannah
Nominal: $47,145
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $49,519

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alpharetta if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,145/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,358)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,519)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Alpharetta grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.8% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Alpharetta, GA

+12.4%

$39,499 (2024) → $44,391 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+29.8%

$35,220 (2019) → $45,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Alpharetta or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,145/year, compared to Alpharetta at $45,785/year — a difference of $1,360 (2.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alpharetta and Savannah?

Alpharetta dental assistants earn $22.01/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $22.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alpharetta to Savannah as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alpharetta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alpharetta = $49,178, Savannah = $49,519), job availability (13 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Alpharetta vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,145 in Alpharetta and $38,389 in Savannah. The Savannah area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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