Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Rockville, MD: $25.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Rockville, MD runs $25.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,831 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Rockville's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,703 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly rate of $25.40 for dental assistants in Rockville, Maryland, the compensation exceeds the national median hourly pay of $23.84. This premium not only reflects the local demand for skilled assistants in various dental settings like general practices, pediatric offices, and orthodontic clinics but also positions Rockville as a competitive market for this role. For part-time workers averaging about three days a week, this translates to an estimated weekly take-home that supports a comfortable living, while per-diem workers can benefit from flexible schedules. Hourly wages in Rockville typically range from $20.11 for entry-level positions to $32.74 for more experienced dental assistants, showcasing the career advancement potential in this field.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.11 | $160.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.05 | $184.41 |
| Median (P50) | $25.40 | $203.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.79 | $246.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.74 | $261.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockville
Based on $25.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.40/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockville, MD can expect to earn approximately $52,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,484. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rockville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,016.14 | $4,403 | $52,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $609.68 | $2,642 | $31,703 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $406.45 | $1,761 | $21,136 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Rockville) | $25.40 |
| 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 Rockville, MD earn a median of $52,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $54,186.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.40/hr = $31,703/year (purchasing power: $29,006).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,839/year (purchasing power: $48,343).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Rockville grew 19.9% from $20.54/hr (2019) to $24.63/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.20/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 Rockville 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 Rockville
Considering the dynamics of part-time employment, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week in Rockville may earn a substantial income over the course of a year, though still significantly less than a full-time employee. Per-diem opportunities are also prevalent, where dental assistants can charge hourly rates between $22 and $45 depending on their specialization and the nature of the work. This allows for varied earning potential within agency setups and temp placements, appealing to DAs looking for flexible work arrangements. In Rockville, compensation can vary across employer types; general dental practices may offer different pay structures compared to specialized offices. While some dental assistants may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay for the trade-off of fewer perks. Therefore, it's crucial for dental assistants to negotiate their rates effectively, aligning them with industry standards while considering their own unique circumstances and career goals.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
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 Rockville. 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 Rockville 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