Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Canton, OH: $22.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Canton, OH runs $22.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,764 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Canton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,061 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Canton, Ohio offers a competitive dental assistant hourly pay of $22.48, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This wage opens various opportunities for dental assistants who may be seeking part-time, per-diem, or full-time work in diverse settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, orthodontic practices, oral surgery facilities, and even dental school clinics. For instance, part-time workers might logically expect to earn around $17.99 per hour at entry-level positions, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $30.13, reflecting the broad range of skills and responsibilities in the field. These figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data, projected for the year 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.99 | $143.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.51 | $148.11 |
| Median (P50) | $22.48 | $179.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.98 | $223.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.13 | $241.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Canton
Based on $22.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.48/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Canton, OH can expect to earn approximately $46,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,981. With a cost-of-living index of 89.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Canton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Canton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $899.38 | $3,897 | $46,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.63 | $2,338 | $28,061 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.75 | $1,559 | $18,707 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Canton) | $22.48 |
| 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 Canton, OH earn a median of $46,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.68% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 2.30% below the Ohio state average of $47,865.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.48/hr = $28,061/year (purchasing power: $31,386).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,768/year (purchasing power: $52,309).
CoL index: 89.406 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Canton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Canton grew 25.5% from $17.37/hr (2019) to $21.80/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.19/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 Canton 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 Canton
Analyzing the earning potential for dental assistants in Canton reveals that part-time workers logging about 24 hours a week can anticipate a take-home income that substantially varies compared to full-time counterparts. For those in per-diem roles, typical pay spans from $22 to $35 per hour, with specialized fields like oral surgery and orthodontics offering rates of $28 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can differ significantly based on employer type, where general practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental typically provide varied pay scales and benefits. The decision between higher hourly rates with less comprehensive benefits or lower rates accompanied by insurance and retirement plans is a critical consideration for many dental assistants. When negotiating pay, it is beneficial to research and understand local standard rates and be ready to articulate one’s qualifications and skills to secure the best possible compensation.
More salary data for Canton, OH:
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 Canton. 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