Dental Assistant Pay

Roanoke vs Tuckahoe: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Roanoke, VA and Tuckahoe, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$46,588
$22.40/hr
Tuckahoe, VA
$46,324
$22.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VATuckahoe, VA
Median Salary$46,588$46,324
Hourly Rate$22.40$22.27
Entry Level (P10)$37,254$35,974
25th Percentile$37,956$42,359
75th Percentile$49,064$54,918
Top Earner (P90)$57,820$57,503
Total Employed30010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($46,588) and Tuckahoe ($46,324) dental assistant salaries.RoanokeTuckahoeMedian Salary$46,588$46,324Entry Level (P10)$37,254$35,974Top Earner (P90)$57,820$57,503US Median $49,579

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tuckahoe.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Tuckahoe is $264 (0.57%). Roanoke's median is -6.03% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $20,566,Tuckahoe spans $21,529. Tuckahoe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$37,254
P25$37,956
Median$46,588
P75$49,064
P90 (Top)$57,820
Tuckahoe
P10 (Entry)$35,974
P25$42,359
Median$46,324
P75$54,918
P90 (Top)$57,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($49,764 effective) pays 10.86% more than Tuckahoe ($44,888 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $46,588
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $49,764
Tuckahoe
Nominal: $46,324
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $44,888

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,588/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,820)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,764)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Tuckahoe if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Roanoke grew 16.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in Tuckahoe over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+16.7%

$38,710 (2019) → $45,170 (2025)

Tuckahoe, VA

+0.9%

$44,520 (2024) → $44,914 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Roanoke or Tuckahoe?

Roanoke has a higher median dental assistant salary at $46,588/year, compared to Tuckahoe at $46,324/year — a difference of $264 (0.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Tuckahoe?

Roanoke dental assistants earn $22.40/hr while Tuckahoe hygienists earn $22.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Tuckahoe as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Tuckahoe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $49,764, Tuckahoe = $44,888), job availability (300 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Roanoke vs Tuckahoe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,254 in Roanoke and $35,974 in Tuckahoe. The Roanoke area offers higher starting salaries.
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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