Dental Assistant Pay

Augusta vs South Fulton: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$45,165
$21.71/hr
South Fulton, GA
$45,732
$21.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASouth Fulton, GA
Median Salary$45,165$45,732
Hourly Rate$21.71$21.99
Entry Level (P10)$37,110$32,884
25th Percentile$38,884$42,857
75th Percentile$48,579$54,979
Top Earner (P90)$57,614$58,478
Total Employed67024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($45,165) and South Fulton ($45,732) dental assistant salaries.AugustaSouth FultonMedian Salary$45,165$45,732Entry Level (P10)$37,110$32,884Top Earner (P90)$57,614$58,478US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and South Fulton is $567 (1.26%). South Fulton's median is -7.76% 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,South Fulton spans $25,594. South Fulton 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
South Fulton
P10 (Entry)$32,884
P25$42,857
Median$45,732
P75$54,979
P90 (Top)$58,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($49,144 effective) pays 0.05% more than South Fulton ($49,121 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $45,165
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $49,144
South Fulton
Nominal: $45,732
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $49,121

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,144)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose South Fulton if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,732/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,478)
  • 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 South Fulton over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+11.7%

$39,190 (2019) → $43,790 (2025)

South Fulton, GA

+12.4%

$39,454 (2024) → $44,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Augusta or South Fulton?

South Fulton has a higher median dental assistant salary at $45,732/year, compared to Augusta at $45,165/year — a difference of $567 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and South Fulton?

Augusta dental assistants earn $21.71/hr while South Fulton hygienists earn $21.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to South Fulton as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and South Fulton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $49,144, South Fulton = $49,121), job availability (670 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,110 in Augusta and $32,884 in South Fulton. 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