Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Oxford, OH: $21.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Oxford, OH runs $21.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Oxford's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,108 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Oxford, OH, dental assistants receive a median hourly pay of $21.72, which reflects a slight discrepancy compared to the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This hourly pay is particularly significant for part-time workers, such as those in general dentistry operatories or pediatric dental exam rooms, who may typically work 3 days a week. They can expect to earn anywhere from $17.12 at the entry level up to $27.08 for top earners in the field. The wide range reflects the diverse settings in which dental assistants operate, including orthodontic chair rows, oral surgery rooms, and even dental school clinics. These hourly rates, derived from annual salary estimates, provide a clearer picture of potential earnings for individual dental assistants navigating varied work arrangements.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.12 | $136.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.33 | $170.63 |
| Median (P50) | $21.72 | $173.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.19 | $201.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.08 | $216.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oxford
Based on $21.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.72/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oxford, OH can expect to earn approximately $45,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,066. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oxford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oxford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $868.85 | $3,765 | $45,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.31 | $2,259 | $27,108 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.54 | $1,506 | $18,072 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Oxford) | $21.72 |
| 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 Oxford, OH earn a median of $45,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.88% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 5.60% below the Ohio state average of $47,856.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.72/hr = $27,108/year (purchasing power: $29,888).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,180/year (purchasing power: $49,813).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Oxford grew 19.9% from $17.56/hr (2019) to $21.06/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.40/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 Oxford 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 Oxford
For part-time dental assistants working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week, annual income can range significantly compared to full-time positions. They generally earn just over $27,000 annually, while full-time dental assistants can earn upwards of $45,000. Per-diem opportunities in Oxford also demonstrate diverse earning potentials, with dental assistants often billing $22-$35 per hour, especially within specialty practices like orthodontics and oral surgery where rates can soar to $28-$45 per hour. The type of employer—be it a solo practice, group practice, or corporate dental support organization—also significantly influences hourly rates and benefits. Many dental assistants accept lower pay in exchange for health insurance or a more stable work environment. Negotiating effectively might involve emphasizing skills and certifications from recognized bodies like DANB, especially when considering the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower steady pay with perks.
More salary data for Oxford, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Oxford in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Oxford?
Are dental assistants in Oxford paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Oxford?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Oxford?
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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 Oxford. 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 Oxford 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