Dental Assistant Pay

Augusta vs Savannah: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$45,165
$21.71/hr
Savannah, GA
$47,145
$22.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$45,165$47,145
Hourly Rate$21.71$22.67
Entry Level (P10)$37,110$38,389
25th Percentile$38,884$39,554
75th Percentile$48,579$49,198
Top Earner (P90)$57,614$60,358
Total Employed670380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($45,165) and Savannah ($47,145) dental assistant salaries.AugustaSavannahMedian Salary$45,165$47,145Entry Level (P10)$37,110$38,389Top Earner (P90)$57,614$60,358US Median $49,579

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Savannah is $1,980 (4.38%). 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 Augusta spans $20,504,Savannah spans $21,969. Savannah has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$37,110
P25$38,884
Median$45,165
P75$48,579
P90 (Top)$57,614
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 0.76% more than Augusta ($49,144 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $45,165
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $49,144
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 Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,145/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,358)
  • 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 Augusta grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 29.8% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+11.7%

$39,190 (2019) → $43,790 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+29.8%

$35,220 (2019) → $45,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Augusta or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,145/year, compared to Augusta at $45,165/year — a difference of $1,980 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Savannah?

Augusta dental assistants earn $21.71/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $22.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $49,144, Savannah = $49,519), job availability (670 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,110 in Augusta 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