Dental Assistant Pay

Miramar vs Tampa: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Miramar, FL
$47,919
$23.04/hr
Tampa, FL
$48,362
$23.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiramar, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$47,919$48,362
Hourly Rate$23.04$23.25
Entry Level (P10)$37,602$38,801
25th Percentile$44,442$46,496
75th Percentile$58,973$56,882
Top Earner (P90)$63,573$59,739
Total Employed213,560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miramar ($47,919) and Tampa ($48,362) dental assistant salaries.MiramarTampaMedian Salary$47,919$48,362Entry Level (P10)$37,602$38,801Top Earner (P90)$63,573$59,739US Median $49,579

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Miramar.

The salary gap between Miramar and Tampa is $443 (0.92%). Tampa's median is -2.45% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miramar spans $25,971,Tampa spans $20,938. Miramar has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miramar
P10 (Entry)$37,602
P25$44,442
Median$47,919
P75$58,973
P90 (Top)$63,573
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$38,801
P25$46,496
Median$48,362
P75$56,882
P90 (Top)$59,739

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($47,935 effective) pays 0.83% more than Miramar ($47,539 effective).

Miramar
Nominal: $47,919
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $47,539
Tampa
Nominal: $48,362
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $47,935

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miramar if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,573)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,362/year)
  • Larger job market (3,560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,935)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Miramar grew 9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Miramar, FL

+9.7%

$42,368 (2024) → $46,460 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+14.2%

$41,060 (2019) → $46,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Miramar or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median dental assistant salary at $48,362/year, compared to Miramar at $47,919/year — a difference of $443 (0.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miramar and Tampa?

Miramar dental assistants earn $23.04/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $23.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miramar to Tampa as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miramar and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miramar = $47,539, Tampa = $47,935), job availability (21 vs 3,560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Miramar vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,602 in Miramar and $38,801 in Tampa. The Tampa 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