Dental Assistant Pay

Lexington Park vs Silver Spring: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Lexington Park, MD and Silver Spring, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington Park, MD
$49,538
$23.82/hr
Silver Spring, MD
$52,806
$25.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington Park, MDSilver Spring, MD
Median Salary$49,538$52,806
Hourly Rate$23.82$25.38
Entry Level (P10)$38,956$41,764
25th Percentile$47,486$49,045
75th Percentile$59,636$65,052
Top Earner (P90)$62,224$68,133
Total Employed17012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington Park ($49,538) and Silver Spring ($52,806) dental assistant salaries.Lexington ParkSilver SpringMedian Salary$49,538$52,806Entry Level (P10)$38,956$41,764Top Earner (P90)$62,224$68,133US Median $49,579

Verdict

Silver Spring, MD offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington Park.

The salary gap between Lexington Park and Silver Spring is $3,268 (6.60%). Silver Spring's median is +6.51% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington Park spans $23,268,Silver Spring spans $26,369. Silver Spring has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$38,956
P25$47,486
Median$49,538
P75$59,636
P90 (Top)$62,224
Silver Spring
P10 (Entry)$41,764
P25$49,045
Median$52,806
P75$65,052
P90 (Top)$68,133

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($49,164 effective) pays 1.76% more than Silver Spring ($48,313 effective).

Lexington Park
Nominal: $49,538
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $49,164
Silver Spring
Nominal: $52,806
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $48,313

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,164)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Silver Spring if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,806/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,133)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Lexington Park grew 1.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in Silver Spring over the same period.

Lexington Park, MD

+1.2%

$47,440 (2024) → $48,030 (2025)

Silver Spring, MD

+0.1%

$51,123 (2024) → $51,198 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Lexington Park or Silver Spring?

Silver Spring has a higher median dental assistant salary at $52,806/year, compared to Lexington Park at $49,538/year — a difference of $3,268 (6.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington Park and Silver Spring?

Lexington Park dental assistants earn $23.82/hr while Silver Spring hygienists earn $25.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington Park to Silver Spring as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington Park and Silver Spring. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington Park = $49,164, Silver Spring = $48,313), job availability (170 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Lexington Park vs Silver Spring?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,956 in Lexington Park and $41,764 in Silver Spring. The Silver Spring area offers higher starting salaries.
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