Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Augusta, GA: $21.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Augusta, GA runs $21.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,165 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Augusta's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,095 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, the projected median hourly pay for dental assistants in 2026 is $21.71, which falls below the national median of $23.84. This figure illustrates the financial prospects for dental assistants working in diverse environments such as general dentistry operatories, orthodontic offices, and even dental schools. Part-time positions typically offer flexibility, making it possible for workers to earn a solid income while only committing to three days a week—often resulting in substantial weekly hours. Entry-level dental assistants may start at around $17.84 an hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $27.70 hourly, reflecting the wide range of opportunities in this field, as highlighted by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.84 | $142.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.69 | $149.51 |
| Median (P50) | $21.71 | $173.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.35 | $186.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.70 | $221.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Augusta
Based on $21.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.71/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Augusta, GA can expect to earn approximately $45,159 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,053. With a cost-of-living index of 91.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Augusta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Augusta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $868.44 | $3,763 | $45,159 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.06 | $2,258 | $27,095 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.38 | $1,505 | $18,064 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Augusta) | $21.71 |
| 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 Augusta, GA earn a median of $45,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.90% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.40% below the Georgia state average of $45,346.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.71/hr = $27,095/year (purchasing power: $29,482).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,159/year (purchasing power: $49,137).
CoL index: 91.903 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Augusta grew 11.7% from $18.84/hr (2019) to $21.05/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.39/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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Looking beyond just hourly rates, part-time dental assistants in Augusta working 24 hours a week could earn just over $27,000 annually, a substantial contrast to full-time positions that would yield closer to $45,165. Per diem dental assistant pay in Augusta can be even more lucrative, with rates frequently ranging from $22 to $35 per hour, particularly in specialized settings like oral surgery or orthodontics where per diem rates can hit as high as $45. Employment in various types of practices—a solo general practice, a large dental service organization (DSO) like Aspen or Heartland, or a specialty office—can significantly impact hourly compensation. Those opting for lower-paying positions that offer comprehensive benefits might find peace of mind in job security, while others may choose to prioritize higher hourly wages in temporary positions without benefits. Negotiation strategies tailored to the local job market can empower dental assistants to secure competitive hourly rates, especially in light of the evolving job landscape shaped by DSO consolidation and changes in practice dynamics throughout Augusta.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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 Augusta. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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