Dental Assistant Pay

Chillicothe vs Cleveland: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Chillicothe, OH
$45,078
$21.67/hr
Cleveland, OH
$49,301
$23.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$45,078$49,301
Hourly Rate$21.67$23.70
Entry Level (P10)$35,227$38,213
25th Percentile$44,152$43,453
75th Percentile$53,795$79,521
Top Earner (P90)$56,144$91,073
Total Employed62,540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($45,078) and Cleveland ($49,301) dental assistant salaries.ChillicotheClevelandMedian Salary$45,078$49,301Entry Level (P10)$35,227$38,213Top Earner (P90)$56,144$91,073US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Cleveland is $4,223 (9.37%). Cleveland's median is -0.56% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chillicothe spans $20,917,Cleveland spans $52,860. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$35,227
P25$44,152
Median$45,078
P75$53,795
P90 (Top)$56,144
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,213
P25$43,453
Median$49,301
P75$79,521
P90 (Top)$91,073

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($52,491 effective) pays 5.62% more than Chillicothe ($49,700 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $45,078
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $49,700
Cleveland
Nominal: $49,301
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $52,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chillicothe if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,301/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,073)
  • Larger job market (2,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,491)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Chillicothe grew 21.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.1% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+21.9%

$35,867 (2024) → $43,706 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+20.1%

$39,800 (2019) → $47,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Chillicothe or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,301/year, compared to Chillicothe at $45,078/year — a difference of $4,223 (9.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Cleveland?

Chillicothe dental assistants earn $21.67/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $23.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chillicothe to Cleveland as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $49,700, Cleveland = $52,491), job availability (6 vs 2,540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Chillicothe vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $35,227 in Chillicothe and $38,213 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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