Dental Assistant Pay

Lexington Park vs Towson: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Lexington Park, MD
$49,538
$23.82/hr
Towson, MD
$49,736
$23.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington Park, MDTowson, MD
Median Salary$49,538$49,736
Hourly Rate$23.82$23.91
Entry Level (P10)$38,956$40,279
25th Percentile$47,486$46,901
75th Percentile$59,636$60,965
Top Earner (P90)$62,224$65,224
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington Park ($49,538) and Towson ($49,736) dental assistant salaries.Lexington ParkTowsonMedian Salary$49,538$49,736Entry Level (P10)$38,956$40,279Top Earner (P90)$62,224$65,224US Median $49,579

Verdict

Towson, 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 Towson is $198 (0.40%). Towson's median is +0.32% 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,Towson spans $24,945. Towson 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
Towson
P10 (Entry)$40,279
P25$46,901
Median$49,736
P75$60,965
P90 (Top)$65,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($49,164 effective) pays 8.04% more than Towson ($45,504 effective).

Lexington Park
Nominal: $49,538
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $49,164
Towson
Nominal: $49,736
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $45,504

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 Towson if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,736/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,224)
  • 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 -6.8% growth in Towson over the same period.

Lexington Park, MD

+1.2%

$47,440 (2024) → $48,030 (2025)

Towson, MD

+-6.8%

$51,738 (2024) → $48,222 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Lexington Park or Towson?

Towson has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,736/year, compared to Lexington Park at $49,538/year — a difference of $198 (0.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington Park and Towson?

Lexington Park dental assistants earn $23.82/hr while Towson hygienists earn $23.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington Park and Towson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington Park = $49,164, Towson = $45,504), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,956 in Lexington Park and $40,279 in Towson. The Towson 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