Dental Assistant Pay

Atlanta vs Brunswick: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$48,692
$23.41/hr
Brunswick, GA
$45,196
$21.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GABrunswick, GA
Median Salary$48,692$45,196
Hourly Rate$23.41$21.73
Entry Level (P10)$38,987$36,749
25th Percentile$47,125$39,111
75th Percentile$57,841$46,557
Top Earner (P90)$59,594$57,439
Total Employed6,700140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($48,692) and Brunswick ($45,196) dental assistant salaries.AtlantaBrunswickMedian Salary$48,692$45,196Entry Level (P10)$38,987$36,749Top Earner (P90)$59,594$57,439US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Brunswick is $3,496 (7.74%). Atlanta's median is -1.79% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $20,607,Brunswick spans $20,690. Brunswick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$38,987
P25$47,125
Median$48,692
P75$57,841
P90 (Top)$59,594
Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$36,749
P25$39,111
Median$45,196
P75$46,557
P90 (Top)$57,439

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brunswick ($51,530 effective) pays 5.89% more than Atlanta ($48,664 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $48,692
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $48,664
Brunswick
Nominal: $45,196
CoL Index: 87.708
Adjusted: $51,530

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,594)
  • Larger job market (6,700 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,530)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Atlanta grew 11.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.9% growth in Brunswick over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+11.3%

$42,420 (2019) → $47,210 (2025)

Brunswick, GA

+17.9%

$37,170 (2019) → $43,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Atlanta or Brunswick?

Atlanta has a higher median dental assistant salary at $48,692/year, compared to Brunswick at $45,196/year — a difference of $3,496 (7.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Brunswick?

Atlanta dental assistants earn $23.41/hr while Brunswick hygienists earn $21.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Brunswick as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $48,664, Brunswick = $51,530), job availability (6,700 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Atlanta vs Brunswick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,987 in Atlanta and $36,749 in Brunswick. The Atlanta 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