Dental Assistant Pay

Deltona vs Orlando: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Deltona, FL
$46,960
$22.58/hr
Orlando, FL
$47,939
$23.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeltona, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$46,960$47,939
Hourly Rate$22.58$23.05
Entry Level (P10)$36,429$39,730
25th Percentile$39,616$46,207
75th Percentile$48,218$55,778
Top Earner (P90)$56,294$60,492
Total Employed6703,260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Deltona ($46,960) and Orlando ($47,939) dental assistant salaries.DeltonaOrlandoMedian Salary$46,960$47,939Entry Level (P10)$36,429$39,730Top Earner (P90)$56,294$60,492US Median $49,579

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Deltona and Orlando is $979 (2.08%). 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 Deltona spans $19,865,Orlando spans $20,762. Orlando has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Deltona
P10 (Entry)$36,429
P25$39,616
Median$46,960
P75$48,218
P90 (Top)$56,294
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 0.02% more than Deltona ($47,259 effective).

Deltona
Nominal: $46,960
CoL Index: 99.367
Adjusted: $47,259
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 Deltona 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 Deltona grew 26.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Deltona, FL

+26.7%

$35,940 (2019) → $45,530 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+22.9%

$37,830 (2019) → $46,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Deltona or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median dental assistant salary at $47,939/year, compared to Deltona at $46,960/year — a difference of $979 (2.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Deltona and Orlando?

Deltona dental assistants earn $22.58/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $23.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Deltona and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Deltona = $47,259, Orlando = $47,269), job availability (670 vs 3,260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $36,429 in Deltona and $39,730 in Orlando. The Orlando 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