Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Winter Park, FL: $22.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Winter Park, FL runs $22.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Winter Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,485 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winter Park, Florida, dental assistants can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $22.82. This figure sits below the national median hourly rate of $23.84, reflecting local market dynamics and cost of living factors. For part-time workers, typically averaging about three days a week, this translates to a weekly income of approximately $545, which provides a reasonable livelihood when paired with potential secondary income or educational pursuits. The hourly earnings for dental assistants in the area range from $18.16 for entry-level positions to as much as $28.85 for top earners. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary statistics, and they cover a variety of work settings, including general dental practices, pediatric offices, and oral surgery rooms.
About the Winter Park 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) | $18.16 | $145.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.20 | $169.56 |
| Median (P50) | $22.82 | $182.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.37 | $218.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.85 | $230.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winter Park
Based on $22.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.82/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winter Park, FL can expect to earn approximately $47,476 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,390. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Winter Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winter Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $913.00 | $3,956 | $47,476 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $547.80 | $2,374 | $28,485 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.20 | $1,583 | $18,990 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Winter Park) | $22.82 |
| 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 Winter Park, FL earn a median of $47,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.22% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.80% below the Florida state average of $47,868.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.82/hr = $28,485/year (purchasing power: $28,259).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,476/year (purchasing power: $47,099).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Winter Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Winter Park grew 19.9% from $18.45/hr (2019) to $22.13/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.54/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 Winter Park 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 Winter Park
For many dental assistants in Winter Park, working on a part-time basis can significantly impact annual earnings compared to full-time staff. A dental assistant working 24 hours a week will earn around $29,192 annually, creating a distinctive earnings scenario in relation to full-time roles that yield a more stable income. Furthermore, per diem dental assistants often command rates between $22 and $35 per hour, while those in specialized fields like oral surgery or orthodontics may reach rates of $28 to $45 per hour. Different employer types, from solo practices to major dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental, also influence compensation structures. Many dental assistants may choose to accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, which adds another layer to the compensation discussion. In Winter Park, effective negotiation strategies tailored to hourly pay, such as emphasizing flexibility or experience, can prove beneficial for maximizing hourly earnings and aligning with personal career aspirations.
More salary data for Winter Park, FL:
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 Winter Park. 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 Winter Park 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