Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Youngstown, OH: $21.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Youngstown, OH runs $21.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,175 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Youngstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.4, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,108 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Youngstown, Ohio, the projected dental assistant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $21.72, falling below the national hourly median of $23.84. This rate reflects the local market dynamics and may affect both part-time workers—those often engaged in regular shifts three days a week—as well as per-diem associates. Working in diverse settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, orthodontic practices, and dental school clinics, dental assistants in Youngstown can expect to earn between $18.49 and $29.02 per hour depending on their experience and the nature of their assignments. For entry-level positions, earnings begin at the lower end of this range, while those with specialized skills or in senior roles can achieve top-tier pay.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.49 | $147.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.56 | $172.45 |
| Median (P50) | $21.72 | $173.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.20 | $177.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.02 | $232.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Youngstown
Based on $21.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.72/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Youngstown, 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 87.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Youngstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Youngstown
| 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 (Youngstown) | $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 Youngstown, OH earn a median of $45,175 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 $47,855.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.72/hr = $27,108/year (purchasing power: $31,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,180/year (purchasing power: $51,697).
CoL index: 87.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.55/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 Youngstown grew 23.2% from $17.09/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 Youngstown 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 Youngstown
When considering part-time work, a dental assistant working three days a week at 24 hours per week would take home nearly $27,000 annually, contrasting sharply with the earnings of full-time professionals. Per-diem dental assistants in Youngstown, who often charge between $22 and $35 per hour, can earn even more, especially in specialty fields such as oral surgery or orthodontics, where rates can increase to $28-$45 per hour. Variability in hourly pay among different employer types—like general dental practices, pediatric dentist offices, and larger dental service organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen—adds further considerations for job seekers. Benefits often weigh heavily in salary negotiations, as some dental assistants may opt for slightly lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance and job stability, while others might prefer higher pay without benefits, allowing flexibility and agency in their careers. It's essential for prospective dental assistants in Youngstown to be aware of these factors for successful negotiation and career planning.
More salary data for Youngstown, 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 Youngstown. 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