Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Hoover, AL: $19.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Hoover, AL runs $19.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Hoover's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,890 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental assistants working in Hoover, Alabama can expect a median hourly pay of $19.14, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $23.84. This disparity in pay can affect various employment scenarios, such as part-time or per-diem positions, which are common in the field. For example, a dental assistant working three days a week could find themselves averaging around 24 hours on the job, earning approximately $916 weekly before taxes. The hourly wage ranges from $14.70 for entry-level positions up to $24.85 for top earners, reflecting the opportunities available in different environments like general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and specialized practice settings. The figures presented are estimates derived from annual salary data, ensuring dental professionals in Hoover have a clear financial perspective of their roles.
About the Hoover 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) | $14.70 | $117.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.45 | $139.61 |
| Median (P50) | $19.14 | $153.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.26 | $186.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.85 | $198.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hoover
Based on $19.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.14/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hoover, AL can expect to earn approximately $39,817 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,971. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hoover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hoover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $765.71 | $3,318 | $39,817 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $459.43 | $1,991 | $23,890 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $306.28 | $1,327 | $15,927 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Hoover) | $19.14 |
| 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 Hoover, AL earn a median of $39,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.68% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.00% above the Alabama state average of $39,428.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.14/hr = $23,890/year (purchasing power: $27,179).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,817/year (purchasing power: $45,298).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Hoover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Hoover grew 19.9% from $15.48/hr (2019) to $18.56/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.74/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 Hoover 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 Hoover
For part-time dental assistants, working only three days a week can yield an annual income of about $47,592, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem dental assistant pay in Hoover typically ranges between $22 and $35 an hour, with specialists in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially earning $28-$45 per hour. These positions offer flexible scheduling options while allowing assistants to diversify their experience across various practice types, such as pediatric offices and dental schools. Employers in Hoover, including both group practices and dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen, often provide different compensation packages, balancing higher hourly rates against benefits like health insurance. Dental assistants considering hourly work should also keep in mind negotiation strategies specific to the locality, as knowing the local market trends and common employer expectations can help in securing better rates.
More salary data for Hoover, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Hoover in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Hoover?
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How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Hoover?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Hoover?
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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 Hoover. 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 Hoover 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