Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $21.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Portsmouth, VA runs $21.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,719 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,430 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, dental assistants earn a median hourly wage of $21.98, which is slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly rate reflects the financial landscape for both full-time and part-time professionals within various clinical settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and oral surgery suites. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this pay translates into a realistic income that can support a modest lifestyle while attending to personal commitments. The hourly wage range in Portsmouth varies from $17.12 for entry-level positions to $27.99 for experienced practitioners, creating diverse opportunities for those entering the field or looking to advance their careers in specialized environments.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($44,000) 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) | $20.24 | $161.89 |
| Median (P50) | $21.98 | $175.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.42 | $211.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.99 | $223.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $21.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.98/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $45,717 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,375. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $879.17 | $3,810 | $45,717 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.50 | $2,286 | $27,430 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.67 | $1,524 | $18,287 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Portsmouth) | $21.98 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $45,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.79% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $47,230.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.98/hr = $27,430/year (purchasing power: $26,579).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,717/year (purchasing power: $44,299).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Portsmouth grew 19.9% from $17.77/hr (2019) to $21.31/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.67/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Considering part-time and per-diem opportunities for dental assistants in Portsmouth highlights the variation in earning potential. A dental assistant working 24 hours a week may end up taking home around $27,184 annually, which is significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Per diem dental assistant pay in Portsmouth often falls between $22 to $35 per hour, with those specializing in oral surgery or orthodontics even commanding hourly rates of $28 to $45. Employment settings, such as solo practices, group practices, and larger dental service organizations like Pacific Dental, reflect different pay scales; working in a DSO often offers consistent hourly wages but might come with a reduced level of benefits. Negotiating for compensation may involve assessing the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that provide health insurance and other perks—a key consideration for many in this field.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Portsmouth in 2026?
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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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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