Dental Assistant Pay

Augusta vs Griffin: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$45,165
$21.71/hr
Griffin, GA
$42,161
$20.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAGriffin, GA
Median Salary$45,165$42,161
Hourly Rate$21.71$20.27
Entry Level (P10)$37,110$34,544
25th Percentile$38,884$39,712
75th Percentile$48,579$49,784
Top Earner (P90)$57,614$51,451
Total Employed6705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($45,165) and Griffin ($42,161) dental assistant salaries.AugustaGriffinMedian Salary$45,165$42,161Entry Level (P10)$37,110$34,544Top Earner (P90)$57,614$51,451US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Griffin is $3,004 (7.13%). Augusta's median is -8.90% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $20,504,Griffin spans $16,907. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$37,110
P25$38,884
Median$45,165
P75$48,579
P90 (Top)$57,614
Griffin
P10 (Entry)$34,544
P25$39,712
Median$42,161
P75$49,784
P90 (Top)$51,451

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($49,144 effective) pays 8.52% more than Griffin ($45,286 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $45,165
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $49,144
Griffin
Nominal: $42,161
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $45,286

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,165/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,614)
  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,144)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Griffin if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Augusta grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in Griffin over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+11.7%

$39,190 (2019) → $43,790 (2025)

Griffin, GA

+12.4%

$36,372 (2024) → $40,877 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Augusta or Griffin?

Augusta has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,165/year, compared to Griffin at $42,161/year — a difference of $3,004 (7.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Griffin?

Augusta dental assistants earn $21.71/hr while Griffin hygienists earn $20.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Griffin as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Griffin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $49,144, Griffin = $45,286), job availability (670 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Augusta vs Griffin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,110 in Augusta and $34,544 in Griffin. The Augusta 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