Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Royal Palm Beach, FL: $22.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Royal Palm Beach, FL runs $22.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Royal Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,344 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Royal Palm Beach, FL, can expect a median hourly pay of $22.71, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This competitive rate is reflective of the cost of living in the area, which is slightly above the national average. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this translates to an income of about $24,000 annually at full hours, which can sustain a modest lifestyle depending on personal circumstances and expenses. Per-diem dental assistants in various settings, including general dentistry and specialty practices, may also find their hourly earnings vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $17.87 and top earners achieving rates as high as $28.47. These projected pay scales aim to attract skilled professionals into the field while accommodating the diverse working environments in dental offices, whether they are pediatric, orthodontic, or oral surgery specialties.
About the Royal Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.87 | $142.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.94 | $167.50 |
| Median (P50) | $22.71 | $181.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.09 | $216.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.47 | $227.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Palm Beach
Based on $22.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.71/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $47,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,254. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Royal Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $908.46 | $3,937 | $47,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $545.07 | $2,362 | $28,344 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $363.38 | $1,575 | $18,896 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Royal Palm Beach) | $22.71 |
| 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 Royal Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $47,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $47,861.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.71/hr = $28,344/year (purchasing power: $28,119).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,240/year (purchasing power: $46,865).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Royal Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Royal Palm Beach grew 19.9% from $18.36/hr (2019) to $22.02/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.42/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 Royal Palm Beach 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 Royal Palm Beach
For those considering part-time work in dental assisting in Royal Palm Beach, such as a 3-day workweek, the expected take-home could be less than a full-time commitment, valuing flexibility over maximum income. Per-diem dental assistant pay in the area can range broadly; typical rates may fall between $22 and $35 per hour, with highly specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially reaching $28 to $45 per hour. The growth of dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen has influenced pay structures, leading to standardized compensation across various practice types. Hourly wages can differ greatly between general practices and specialty offices, depending on specific employer demands and patient outcomes. Some dental assistants opt for positions that provide benefits, accepting lower hourly compensation in exchange for health insurance and job security. For effective negotiation, candidates should understand prevailing rates in their specific practice area and leverage any specialized training, such as DANB certification or expanded function authority, to negotiate higher pay in a competitive market like Royal Palm Beach.
More salary data for Royal Palm Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Royal Palm Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Royal Palm Beach?
Are dental assistants in Royal Palm Beach paid hourly or salary?
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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 Royal Palm Beach. 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 Royal Palm Beach 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