Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Homewood, AL: $18.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Homewood, AL runs $18.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,106 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Homewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,860 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Homewood, Alabama, dental assistants earn a median hourly rate of $18.32, reflecting a notable difference compared to the national median of $23.84. This hourly pay impacts part-time and per-diem workers significantly, as shifts often take place in various dental settings, including orthodontic offices and surgical suites. For a typical part-time dental assistant working three days a week, earning this hourly rate means they can expect to receive around $1,218 weekly, helpful when budgeting for everyday expenses. Those at the entry-level can start at approximately $15.28, while top earners could see their hourly wages reach up to $23.30, indicating opportunities for growth and increased earning potential in the field.
About the Homewood Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.28 | $122.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.54 | $140.35 |
| Median (P50) | $18.32 | $146.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.10 | $176.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.30 | $186.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Homewood
Based on $18.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.32/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Homewood, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,981. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Homewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Homewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $732.71 | $3,175 | $38,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $439.62 | $1,905 | $22,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.08 | $1,270 | $15,240 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Homewood) | $18.32 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Homewood, AL earn a median of $38,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.14% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $39,447.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.32/hr = $22,860/year (purchasing power: $26,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,101/year (purchasing power: $43,346).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Homewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Homewood grew 19.9% from $14.81/hr (2019) to $17.76/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Homewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Homewood
For part-time dental assistants in Homewood working an average of 24 hours weekly, annual earnings can result in significantly lower take-home pay compared to full-time workers. By balancing flexible shifts, part-time DAs may make between $28,548 and $39,944 annually, which may not include benefits often found in full-time positions. Per diem dental assistant pay in Homewood can vary widely, with many professionals billing between $22 and $35 per hour, while those working in specialized settings such as oral surgery or orthodontics can see rates hike up to $28-$45 per hour. This variability highlights the importance of considering employer types when evaluating pay; general dental practices might offer lower rates compared to specialized offices, while larger DSO chains often follow standardized pay scales. As dental assistants negotiate their positions, they should weigh the trade-offs of higher hourly wages against the potential for securing health benefits typical of full-time employment, as well as explore connections through temp agencies that provide flexible work opportunities.
More salary data for Homewood, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Homewood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Homewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov