Dental Assistant Pay

Aventura vs Orlando: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Aventura, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aventura, FL
$47,250
$22.72/hr
Orlando, FL
$47,939
$23.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAventura, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$47,250$47,939
Hourly Rate$22.72$23.05
Entry Level (P10)$37,155$39,730
25th Percentile$43,583$46,207
75th Percentile$55,381$55,778
Top Earner (P90)$57,436$60,492
Total Employed83,260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aventura ($47,250) and Orlando ($47,939) dental assistant salaries.AventuraOrlandoMedian Salary$47,250$47,939Entry Level (P10)$37,155$39,730Top Earner (P90)$57,436$60,492US Median $49,579

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Aventura.

The salary gap between Aventura and Orlando is $689 (1.46%). Orlando's median is -3.31% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aventura spans $20,281,Orlando spans $20,762. Orlando has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Aventura
P10 (Entry)$37,155
P25$43,583
Median$47,250
P75$55,381
P90 (Top)$57,436
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$39,730
P25$46,207
Median$47,939
P75$55,778
P90 (Top)$60,492

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($47,269 effective) pays 0.84% more than Aventura ($46,875 effective).

Aventura
Nominal: $47,250
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $46,875
Orlando
Nominal: $47,939
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $47,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aventura if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,939/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,492)
  • Larger job market (3,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,269)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Aventura grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Aventura, FL

+9.7%

$41,777 (2024) → $45,812 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+22.9%

$37,830 (2019) → $46,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Aventura or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,939/year, compared to Aventura at $47,250/year — a difference of $689 (1.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aventura and Orlando?

Aventura dental assistants earn $22.72/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $23.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aventura to Orlando as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aventura and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aventura = $46,875, Orlando = $47,269), job availability (8 vs 3,260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Aventura vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,155 in Aventura and $39,730 in Orlando. The Orlando area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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