Dental Assistant Pay

Centerville vs Cincinnati: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Centerville, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centerville, OH
$44,010
$21.15/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$51,147
$24.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCenterville, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$44,010$51,147
Hourly Rate$21.15$24.59
Entry Level (P10)$36,359$39,028
25th Percentile$41,812$48,146
75th Percentile$51,303$62,379
Top Earner (P90)$52,848$79,851
Total Employed62,440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centerville ($44,010) and Cincinnati ($51,147) dental assistant salaries.CentervilleCincinnatiMedian Salary$44,010$51,147Entry Level (P10)$36,359$39,028Top Earner (P90)$52,848$79,851US Median $49,579

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centerville.

The salary gap between Centerville and Cincinnati is $7,137 (16.22%). Cincinnati's median is +3.16% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centerville spans $16,489,Cincinnati spans $40,823. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Centerville
P10 (Entry)$36,359
P25$41,812
Median$44,010
P75$51,303
P90 (Top)$52,848
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$39,028
P25$48,146
Median$51,147
P75$62,379
P90 (Top)$79,851

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($53,630 effective) pays 10.53% more than Centerville ($48,523 effective).

Centerville
Nominal: $44,010
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $48,523
Cincinnati
Nominal: $51,147
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $53,630

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centerville if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,147/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,851)
  • Larger job market (2,440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,630)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Centerville grew 21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.3% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Centerville, OH

+21.9%

$35,016 (2024) → $42,670 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+24.3%

$39,900 (2019) → $49,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Centerville or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median dental assistant salary at $51,147/year, compared to Centerville at $44,010/year — a difference of $7,137 (16.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centerville and Cincinnati?

Centerville dental assistants earn $21.15/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $24.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centerville to Cincinnati as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centerville and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centerville = $48,523, Cincinnati = $53,630), job availability (6 vs 2,440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Centerville vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,359 in Centerville and $39,028 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati 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